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Read, Debate: Engage.
| topic: | Transparency and Corruption |
|---|---|
| located: | Zimbabwe, Philippines, Venezuela, Mali, South Sudan |
| editor: | Bob Koigi |
Over the years, human rights defenders, civil society groups and the media have sounded the alarm over the connection between the abuse of civil liberties, persecutions and murder of human rights defenders and corruption. Numerous reports have highlighted the nexus between countries that maintain a clean human rights track record and a reduced corrupt management of public resources.
Yet, on the flipside, bad governance that perpetuates disregard for the rule of law and human rights abuses has given room for wanton plunder of public coffers and economic crimes that have bled countries’ resources, for example in Philippines, Venezuela, Mali and South Sudan, among others.
It is no surprise, then, that a recently released 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index by the global civil society organisation, Transparency International, has yet again spotlighted what good governance does to a country’s civil liberties record.
“Complacency in fighting corruption exacerbates human rights abuses and undermines democracy, setting off a vicious spiral. As these rights and freedoms erode and democracy declines, authoritarianism takes its place, contributing to even higher levels of corruption,” the index noted.
Emerging threats and shocks like COVID-19 have been used by governments world over to suppress fundamental rights while limiting the checks and balances that hold governments and public institutions accountable, the index has further noted.
As nations undergo various political processes and democratic and human rights spaces evolve with time, the onus is on the international community to be fervent in reminding holders of public offices of their fiduciary duty to their constitutions and their people, while ensuring that the citizenry is empowered to hold public officials accountable, defend the rule of law and the sanctity of human rights.
Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm
