Transparency International and
Center for Social Development
Transparency International (“TI”) and the Center for Social Development (“CSD”) today released a National Integrity System (“NIS”) Study of Cambodia showing that although the government shows some signs of political will against corruption, after a decade of cautious political peace and billions of U.S. dollars in aid, the systems in place to promote integrity and prevent corruption are still weak and lack the capacity to carry out their functions properly.
The NIS Study of Cambodia found that corruption has pervaded almost every sector of the country. The payment of unofficial fees is necessary to secure any range of services, including medical care, education credentials and even birth certificates. While these everyday forms of corruption have become so prevalent that households acknowledge them as routine, no Cambodian regards them as fair or acceptable. However, challenging these demands is seen by most as pointless, as the average citizen does not feel powerful enough to confront or change the system.
The Study made a number of recommendations to address this challenge. First and foremost, it emphasized that the government must demonstrate its political will to fight corruption by following through on its commitment to enact and implement an Anti-Corruption Law and ensure that this law complies with internationally accepted standards.
A Freedom of Information Law and legislation guaranteeing access to information are desperately needed and would, at the very least, enhance the legal framework necessary for increased transparency within government agencies.
Existing anti-corruption bodies need to either be reformed and strengthened or dissolved into the Supreme National Council against Corruption, the proposed national-level anti-corruption body to be established through the Anti-Corruption Law.
Judicial reform is vital to improving the country’s current integrity system. Without the guarantee and protection of fair and impartial judgment, no citizens or government officials will be willing to speak out against fraudulent behavior.
Finally, the Study concluded that the government, international donors and civil society must work together and continue to demand greater transparency across all sectors of the country. Unified support and a genuine will are essential elements to improving governance.
A degree of political will for reform exists within the government, but the reality is that those in power have little reason to change a system that has secured them much power and personal wealth. Stricter costs imposed by the donor community would serve to pressure the government and effect real change.
The NIS Study of Cambodia is part of a regional project to analyze the integrity systems in East and South East Asia. 9 studies are being completed in 2006 as part of this series, including China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The concept of the NIS has been developed and promoted by Transparency International as part of TI’s holistic approach to combating corruption. While there is no blueprint for an effective system to prevent corruption, there is a growing international consensus as to the salient institutional features that work best to prevent corruption and promote integrity. The country studies are based on an assessment of the quality of institutions relevant to the overall anti-corruption system and analyse the key institutions, laws and practices that contribute to integrity, transparency and accountability in a society and the extent to which they function in practice.
This NIS Study of Cambodia will be released in both Khmer and English languages at the Launching Ceremony of three other CSD anti-corruption publications at the Himawari Hotel from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.: (i) Our Country, Our Future (with Pact Cambodia), (ii) Anti-Corruption Picture Book and (iii) Documentation of Corruption Cases.
Media Contacts:
The Center for Social Development
Theary C. SENG, Executive Director 012.222.552, theary@csdcambodia.org
IM Sophea, Executive Assistant 016.888.552, sopheaim@csdcambodia.org
Dr. CHEK Sotha, Study Coordinator 016.226.287, sotha@csdcambodia.org
About the Center for Social Development
The Center for Social Development (“CSD”) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization. CSD was established in Phnom Penh since 1995 (recognized by the Council of Ministers in 1995 and the Ministry of Interior in 2001) and seeks to promote democratic values and improve the quality of life of the Cambodian people.
The mission of CSD is to encourage broad participation (at both national and local levels) in public affairs, develop a respect for human rights and the rule of law, enhance transparency and accountability in the public sphere, and raise awareness of issues of national concern through all forms of media. CSD has five main operational units to carry out this mission: (i) Legal, (ii) Governance, (iii) Public Forum, (iv) Elections & Parliamentary, and (v) Research & Publications.
CSD has been a national chapter-in-formation and now national contact of Transparency International since 1998, and rededicates itself with renewed energy and full participation of the Board of Directors to strengthen its structure and accountability in order to become a full-fledge TI member.
The NIS Study of Cambodia found that corruption has pervaded almost every sector of the country. The payment of unofficial fees is necessary to secure any range of services, including medical care, education credentials and even birth certificates. While these everyday forms of corruption have become so prevalent that households acknowledge them as routine, no Cambodian regards them as fair or acceptable. However, challenging these demands is seen by most as pointless, as the average citizen does not feel powerful enough to confront or change the system.
The Study made a number of recommendations to address this challenge. First and foremost, it emphasized that the government must demonstrate its political will to fight corruption by following through on its commitment to enact and implement an Anti-Corruption Law and ensure that this law complies with internationally accepted standards.
A Freedom of Information Law and legislation guaranteeing access to information are desperately needed and would, at the very least, enhance the legal framework necessary for increased transparency within government agencies.
Existing anti-corruption bodies need to either be reformed and strengthened or dissolved into the Supreme National Council against Corruption, the proposed national-level anti-corruption body to be established through the Anti-Corruption Law.
Judicial reform is vital to improving the country’s current integrity system. Without the guarantee and protection of fair and impartial judgment, no citizens or government officials will be willing to speak out against fraudulent behavior.
Finally, the Study concluded that the government, international donors and civil society must work together and continue to demand greater transparency across all sectors of the country. Unified support and a genuine will are essential elements to improving governance.
A degree of political will for reform exists within the government, but the reality is that those in power have little reason to change a system that has secured them much power and personal wealth. Stricter costs imposed by the donor community would serve to pressure the government and effect real change.
The NIS Study of Cambodia is part of a regional project to analyze the integrity systems in East and South East Asia. 9 studies are being completed in 2006 as part of this series, including China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The concept of the NIS has been developed and promoted by Transparency International as part of TI’s holistic approach to combating corruption. While there is no blueprint for an effective system to prevent corruption, there is a growing international consensus as to the salient institutional features that work best to prevent corruption and promote integrity. The country studies are based on an assessment of the quality of institutions relevant to the overall anti-corruption system and analyse the key institutions, laws and practices that contribute to integrity, transparency and accountability in a society and the extent to which they function in practice.
This NIS Study of Cambodia will be released in both Khmer and English languages at the Launching Ceremony of three other CSD anti-corruption publications at the Himawari Hotel from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.: (i) Our Country, Our Future (with Pact Cambodia), (ii) Anti-Corruption Picture Book and (iii) Documentation of Corruption Cases.
download the National Integrity System (“NIS”) Study of Cambodia [PDF]
Media Contacts:
The Center for Social Development
Theary C. SENG, Executive Director 012.222.552, theary@csdcambodia.org
IM Sophea, Executive Assistant 016.888.552, sopheaim@csdcambodia.org
Dr. CHEK Sotha, Study Coordinator 016.226.287, sotha@csdcambodia.org
About the Center for Social Development
The Center for Social Development (“CSD”) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization. CSD was established in Phnom Penh since 1995 (recognized by the Council of Ministers in 1995 and the Ministry of Interior in 2001) and seeks to promote democratic values and improve the quality of life of the Cambodian people.
The mission of CSD is to encourage broad participation (at both national and local levels) in public affairs, develop a respect for human rights and the rule of law, enhance transparency and accountability in the public sphere, and raise awareness of issues of national concern through all forms of media. CSD has five main operational units to carry out this mission: (i) Legal, (ii) Governance, (iii) Public Forum, (iv) Elections & Parliamentary, and (v) Research & Publications.
CSD has been a national chapter-in-formation and now national contact of Transparency International since 1998, and rededicates itself with renewed energy and full participation of the Board of Directors to strengthen its structure and accountability in order to become a full-fledge TI member.
2 comments:
WHAT CAN YOU DO...THEY ARE CHILDREN OF POL POT DO YOU KNOW...NO MORE TREE NO MORE FISH..NO MORE MINERAL ...NOW ONLY CHILDREN...THEY ARE GOING TO SELL ALL....
It does help to some extend whatever someone wrote about the mischievous, deviant, and evil activities of the Officials. It is a very sad fact that the Officials has no social standards.
While the basic needs are worsening for the poors, and the strong and powerful officials are richer from the oppressing people. The Anti-Corruption Law aren't likely to pass anytime soon.
The Governments love bribery and raping the Country.
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