Financial Crime World

ALL BIDDERS: Palestinian Government’s Efforts to Combat Corruption Fall Short

Introduction

The Palestinian government has made some progress in its efforts to combat corruption, but significant challenges remain, according to a new report. Despite establishing institutions aimed at promoting transparency and accountability, corruption remains a significant problem.

Efforts to Combat Corruption

In recent years, the government has established several institutions aimed at promoting transparency and accountability, including:

  • The High Council for Public Procurement Policies
  • Publication of standard bidding documents for contracts and tenders on the Unified National Portal for Public Procurement
  • Government institutions and local councils have committed to publishing procurement processes online

Challenges Remaining

However, despite these efforts, the report highlights several areas where corruption remains a significant problem:

  • Lack of transparency in public procurement, with many contracts awarded without proper tendering or oversight
  • Concerns about the independence of key institutions, including:
    • The judiciary
    • The Public Prosecution
  • Failure to pass a law on access to information, which would allow citizens to hold officials accountable for their actions
  • Lack of publication of concession agreements with private companies, raising concerns about transparency and accountability

Judicial Authority Challenges

The report also highlights several challenges related to the judicial authority:

  • Lack of independence and financial autonomy of the Constitutional Court
  • Judges can be removed by the executive authority, raising concerns about impartiality

Key Findings

  • The High Council for Public Procurement Policies has published standard bidding documents for contracts and tenders online.
  • Government institutions and local councils have committed to publishing procurement processes online.
  • Corruption remains a significant problem in Palestine, with many contracts awarded without proper tendering or oversight.
  • The independence of key institutions, including the judiciary and the Public Prosecution, is a concern.
  • A law on access to information has not been passed, which would allow citizens to hold officials accountable for their actions.
  • Concession agreements with private companies have not been published, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
  • The Constitutional Court lacks financial autonomy and its judges can be removed by the executive authority, raising concerns about impartiality.

Recommendations

To combat corruption effectively, the report recommends:

  • Passing a law on access to information to allow citizens to hold officials accountable for their actions.
  • Increasing transparency in public procurement by publishing all contracts online.
  • Ensuring the independence of key institutions, including the judiciary and the Public Prosecution.
  • Publishing concession agreements with private companies to ensure transparency and accountability.
  • Strengthening the financial autonomy of the Constitutional Court to ensure its impartiality.

Conclusion

While there have been some positive developments in recent years, more needs to be done to combat corruption in Palestine. The government must take concrete steps to increase transparency and accountability, including passing a law on access to information and ensuring the independence of key institutions. Only then can the Palestinian people expect to see real progress in the fight against corruption.