Our selection of this week's anti-corruption stories
LONDON (TrustLaw) – Here’s our selection of this week’s anti-corruption stories from TrustLaw and other media:
Global
Global partnership to combat corruption launched
TrustLaw, U.S.
The cause of transparency in governance received a boost this week at the inauguration of the Open Government Partnership (OGP), where President Barack Obama said the United States would require American energy and mining firms to disclose payments to foreign countries where they operate.
Africa
Nigerian leader calls for stronger governance institutions
TrustLaw, Senegal
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan said his country needs to build strong institutions that enforce good governance rather than expecting the head of state to lead the charge.
South Sudan announces anti-graft steps
TrustLaw, UK
South Sudan, which gained independence in July, has set out five key measures to tackle corruption in an open letter.
Liberia should reform oil sector to prevent corruption, report says
The Wall Street Journal (Corruption Currents), U.S.
Liberia’s nascent oil sector must put in place major reforms before it loses any of the perceived benefits to corruption and the broader “resource curse”, said a report by Global Witness and the Liberian Oil and Gas Initiative.
South Asia & Asia-Pacific
Philippines customs chief tackles attempts at cronyism
TrustLaw, Thailand
Philippines’ Customs Commissioner Rufino Biazon has warned the public against providing favours to people or businesses claiming to be his relatives or friends.
Two Thai anti-trafficking police to be charged with bribe-taking
TrustLaw, Thailand
Thai authorities are to prosecute two policemen from the Anti-Human Trafficking Division for allegedly taking bribes from business owners and construction contractors using migrant workers.
Indian truck driver beaten to death for refusing to pay bribe
TrustLaw, India
A truck driver in northern India was beaten to death by four transport officials after he refused to a pay a 5,000 rupee ($100) bribe.
Pakistan asks for Indian anti-graft activist’s help
TrustLaw, UK
A delegation from Pakistan visited renowned Indian anti-graft activist Anna Hazare to ask for his help in combating corruption in Pakistan.
Indonesian anti-corruption chief slams weak sentences
TrustLaw, Thailand
The chief of Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission lamented the leniency of rulings on corruption suspects and said judges “have lost the spirit to stand for the interests of the people”.
Australia govt to create national anti-graft plan
TrustLaw, UK
Australia’s government is to spend 700,000 Australian dollars ($682,000) on a “National Anti-Corruption Plan”, Home Affairs Minister Brendan O’Connor said.
Imran Khan: International aid propping up Pakistan corruption
Daily Telegraph, UK
International aid is propping up Pakistan's corrupt political elite at the expense of much-needed reforms, according to cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan.
Europe
Politics trump graft in Serbia's EU bid
TrustLaw, UK
Serbia has made little progress in fighting corruption but may become an EU candidate state nonetheless when the European Commission decides on enlargement next month, analysts say.
Q+A - What will determine whether Serbia, Albania join EU?
TrustLaw, UK
Strengthening anti-graft efforts may be a requirement for EU membership, but the decision on giving Serbia and Albania EU candidate status will be purely political, a regional specialist said.
FACTBOX - Corruption in Serbia and Albania
TrustLaw, UK
Serbia and Albania are both hoping to become member states of the European Union, but corruption is regarded as a major obstacle to their accession.
Tymoshenko trial jeopardises Ukraine trade deal, warns EU
The Guardian, UK
The EU is threatening to downgrade relations with Ukraine and frustrate its attempts to move closer into Europe's orbit unless the former Soviet republic drops a landmark case rapidly heading towards a verdict against its former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko.
North America
Canada steps out of the shadows
TrustLaw, UK
Canada has come in for severe criticism for not enforcing its foreign bribery laws. But after a landmark prosecution in June and reports of a number of anti-bribery investigations since, could the country be about to see a glut of foreign bribery prosecutions?
Judge in ‘cash-for-kids’ scheme gets 17.5 years
The Wall Street Journal (Corruption Currents), U.S.
Pennsylvania judge Michael Conahan was sentenced to 17.5 years in prison for his role in the cash-for-kids scandal, in which he and judge Mark Ciavarella Jr. were accused of sending teenagers to privately run youth detention centres in exchange for kickbacks from the builder of the facilities.
Latin America
Brazil police chief held over judge murder
TrustLaw, UK
A Brazilian police chief has been arrested on suspicion of ordering the murder of a judge who specialised in investigating police corruption.
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