Here is our selection of recent anti-corruption stories from TrustLaw and other media
LONDON (TrustLaw) - Here is our selection of recent anti-corruption stories from TrustLaw and other media.
Global
Shell quizzes all advisers on corruption policies
The Lawyer, UK
In preparation for the UK Bribery Act, the energy and petrochemical company Shell has announced that it is to carry out anti-bribery due diligence on all law firms that conduct business on its behalf.
Africa
Corruption: Nigeria’s Jonathan should resign based on report, rival says
Vanguard, Nigeria
Nigerian presidential candidate Malam Nuhu Ribadu has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to resign after a presidential advisory committee found that the administration of Nigeria was engrossed in corruption.
South Sudan graft body says it has information about suspected officials
Sudan Tribune, Sudan
The Southern Sudan Anti-Corruption Commission has revealed it has collected information about officials suspected of stealing money and putting it in banks abroad. However, the head of the commission said that her institution lacked the power to prosecute suspects.
South Asia & Asia-Pacific
"Seven Deadly Deals" of weak institutions and corruption in Philippines
TrustLaw, Thailand
Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's nine-year rule in the Philippines is tainted by corruption allegations. A group of Philippine journalists have followed some of them and have now launched a book chronicling seven scandal-ridden projects with suggestions of what the current President Benigno Aquino can do to fix them.
Chinese journalist who wrote about corruption is fired
New York Times, US
A prominent Chinese newspaper columnist who challenged government censors by writing about corruption and political reform has been dismissed by his publisher. The columnist, Chang Ping, said he was forced out because his bosses were under pressure from government authorities. The executive editor, Zhuang Shenzhi, said that the publisher had decided not to extend Mr. Chang’s contract.
Corruption bigger hurdle than terrorism for Pakistan’s progress: EU
The News International, Pakistan
The European Commission’s ambassador to Pakistan, Jan De Kok, has said that soaring corruption in Pakistan is a far bigger impediment to investment inflows and economic development than terrorism. He was addressing a roundtable session on “Pakistan and the EU: Economic cooperation and future prospects”.
Corrupt former New Zealand MP seeks Supreme Court appeal
Radio New Zealand News, New Zealand
Former New Zealand MP Taito Phillip Field has filed papers in the Supreme Court in a final effort to have his convictions for bribery and corruption overturned. He was sentenced to prison for six years in 2009 after being found guilty of 11 charges of bribery and corruption and 15 of attempting to pervert the course of justice. He was the first politician in New Zealand to be convicted of corruption.
Ex-police chief in South Korea arrested on corruption charges
The Korea Herald, Republic of Korea
Former police chief Kang Hee-rak has been arrested on charges of receiving kickbacks from a contractor in exchange for influence-peddling. Prosecutors claimed Kang received 180 million won ($162,000) in 2009 from a broker who demanded operational rights of makeshift cafeterias at construction sites.
North America
Massachusetts attorney general forms units to tackle public corruption, financial fraud
Boston Globe, US
Amid a series of high-profile public corruption cases, Martha Coakley, attorney general for the U.S state of Massachusetts, has said she is expanding her fraud and corruption division to include units dedicated to government and white-collar crimes.
Canadian tax agency expands corruption probe
The Globe and Mail, Canada
The probe into allegations of corruption inside the Canada Revenue Agency has grown to focus on retired officials who are now high-paid private-sector consultants, court documents and sources say. Already rattled by six firings and three suspensions, the agency is looking into the activities of former officials and their work on behalf of corporate and individual taxpayers.
Europe
Germany halts AIDS fund payment over corruption claims
BBC, UK
Germany has suspended its annual payment of more than 200m euros ($274m) to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, following corruption claims. Germany is the third-biggest donor to the UN-backed fund, which has an annual budget of more than $20bn.
Latin America and Caribbean
Is "Baby Doc" case first step on Haiti's road to rule of law?
AlertNet, Colombia
Haiti may have netted its most high-profile defendant in former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier, whose surprise return to the country this month led to charges of corruption and abuse of power. But experts say the real test is whether Haiti's dysfunctional judicial system, further weakened by last year's massive earthquake, has the capacity and political will to prosecute him.
WikiLeaks documents discuss corruption in Cuba
Latin American Herald, Venezuela
Corruption in Cuba has become a generalised phenomenon that reaches into the top leadership of the Communist Party as well as into the ranks of professionals without any political affiliation, cables from the U.S. Interests Section in Havana released by WikiLeaks say. The cables were written in 2006.
1-800-CORRUPT hotline a ringing success – Jamaican police
Jamaica Observer, Jamaica
The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of the Jamaica police force said that calls to its 1-800-CORRUPT hotline increased more than fourfold last year. In a statement, the police said that 215 calls were received by the hotline during 2010, compared with 51 in 2009. More than half of last year's calls were processed and investigated by the ACB.
Middle East
Yemen protests: 'People are fed up with corruption'
BBC, UK
The editor-in-chief of the Yemen Post newspaper, Hakim Almasmari, told the BBC World Service that the popular revolt in Tunisia has inspired the largest protests "in the recent history of Yemen", and that Yemenis were not prepared anymore to put up with widespread poverty while "corruption is everywhere". Thousands of Yemenis have been demonstrating in the capital Sanaa, calling on Ali Abdullah Saleh, president for 30 years, to step down.
UAE issues federal anti-corruption guidelines
The National, UAE
The body in charge of scrutinising federal finances in the UAE has issued new guidelines on corruption, to help ensure proper management of public money. The "Best Practices Guidelines" on fraud control and against corruption in government institutions were prepared in line with UN anti-corruption measures, the State Audit Institution said.
(reporting by Luke Balleny; editing by Richard Meares)
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