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Corruption Plagues Jordan: Study Reveals Widespread Financial Crime and Abuse of Power
A recent study by the Jordan Transparency Center has shed light on the alarming levels of corruption and financial crime that have been plaguing the country for years. The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) report, which analyzed data from 2001 to 2014, highlights a plethora of reasons why corruption is so rampant in Jordan.
Lack of Effective Anti-Corruption Entities
According to the study, one of the primary culprits is the lack of independence and effectiveness of official anti-corruption entities. These institutions are often plagued by:
- Conflicts of jurisdiction
- Inadequate funding
- Lack of capacity, competency, and governance standards
These issues make it difficult for these agencies to effectively combat corruption.
Restricted Access to Information
The report also highlights restricted access to information as a major obstacle in the fight against corruption. This lack of transparency:
- Discourages citizen engagement in politics
- Makes it difficult for whistleblowers to come forward with evidence of wrongdoing
Inadequate Regulatory Legislation
Furthermore, the report notes that Jordan’s regulatory legislation is woefully inadequate, failing to provide sufficient protections for citizens and making it difficult to prosecute those accused of corruption.
Parliamentary Oversight
The current parliament has also been criticized for its lackluster oversight of the government’s functions, allowing corrupt practices to go unchecked. The absence of real investigative journalism and public officials’ apparent immunity from prosecution further exacerbate the problem.
Jordan’s Commitment to Combating Corruption
Despite Jordan’s commitment to combating corruption by ratifying the UN Convention against Corruption in 2005, much remains to be done to address these issues.
Positive Steps Forward
The country has taken some positive steps, including:
- Formation of the Jordanian Anti-Corruption Commission
- Adoption of an Access to Information law
However, more needs to be done to strengthen institutions and ensure greater transparency and accountability.
Key Conditions for Success
To achieve success in combating corruption, it is essential that the government guarantees several key conditions, including:
- Backing for the Prime Minister’s political mandate
- Independence of the judiciary
- Strengthening anti-corruption prosecution
- Ensuring the safety of its officials
- Limiting the responsibility of hiring regulatory body directors to parliament
Additional Steps Forward
Furthermore, it is crucial that Jordan reviews and amends outdated laws, improves public property management, develops legislation to protect public funds, and fosters partnerships between state institutions and civil society organizations.
Raising Awareness
Finally, raising awareness about the importance of fighting corruption through educational materials in schools and universities is critical in building a more transparent and accountable society.
Until these guarantees are put in place, Jordan’s fight against corruption risks being limited to mere rhetoric, circulating only among the elite and in the media.