Financial Crime World

Russia’s Mixed Signals on Corruption: Crackdown on Civil Society Undermines Anti-Corruption Efforts

Moscow, Russia - The Russian government’s war on corruption has sent out mixed signals, as it cracks down on civil society organizations while taking measures to curb corruption among officials.

A Mixed Message

The authorities have launched a series of inspections on tens of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), forcing them to close their doors and leaving ordinary citizens without a voice. This comes at a time when the government is speaking out loudly about corruption, having signed the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention in 2011 and making progress on fulfilling anti-corruption obligations.

Targeting Transparency International Russia

Transparency International Russia, which has been working to monitor corruption and promote transparency, has been targeted by the authorities. Despite the intimidation, the organization continues to work with students to monitor the income statements of Russian public officials and publishes the results.

  • The report from Transparency International Russia shows a variety of activities that give citizens a chance to monitor corruption, including:
    • Collaborating with the Youth Human Rights movement on a large-scale campaign to check police officers’ identification tags.
    • Monitoring the use of public funds by NGOs and providing analysis and recommendations on making the process more transparent and accountable.

A Counterproductive Move

The move against civil society is seen as counterproductive in the fight against corruption, as citizens need independent organizations to hold their government accountable and ensure that anti-corruption laws are enforced. Russia ranks 133 out of 176 on the Corruption Perceptions Index, indicating endemic corruption.

  • Experts say that a strengthening of the independence of the judiciary and reduction in immunity for officials is needed to tackle corruption effectively.
  • GRECO has called for better access to information on corruption offenses and whistleblower protection.

The Importance of Civil Society

Civil society organizations are crucial in overseeing government actions and providing input on anti-corruption measures. However, with the current climate of intimidation, it is only the government-appointed civil society organizations that can function independently.

  • Despite this, Transparency International Russia continues to work tirelessly to monitor corruption and promote transparency.
  • The group’s report shows practical examples of how civil society can make a difference in the fight against corruption.

A Call to Action

Many organizations are calling on President Putin to stop the inspections and let civil society get back to its work. The Russian government needs to recognize the importance of independent scrutiny in the fight against corruption and support, not harass, civil society organizations that are working towards this goal.