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Yemen Fights Corruption, But More Needs to be Done
Cairo - Yemen’s efforts to combat corruption have been hailed as a success, but experts say more needs to be done to tackle the root of the problem.
Progress Made
According to officials, Yemen has made significant progress in implementing anti-corruption measures. The Department of the National Security Agency, the Public Funds Investigations Department of the Ministry of the Interior (police force), and the Financial Intelligence Unit are all playing a key role in the fight against corruption.
Challenges Remain
However, experts say that while these efforts are commendable, more needs to be done to encourage ordinary citizens to report cases of corruption. Article 24 of the Anti-Corruption Act requires every person who is aware of a corruption offence to report it, but there are no sanctions for those who fail to do so.
Key Areas of Focus
Despite these challenges, Yemen has made significant progress in other areas. The National Anti-Corruption Commission has been deemed independent and efficient, and the country has seen a significant increase in the number of defendants investigated and prosecuted for corruption-related crimes.
Experts also recommend strengthening anti-corruption laws by:
- Explicitly criminalizing the giving and soliciting of bribes
- Criminalizing the misappropriation of public funds
- Considering criminalizing the promise, offering or giving of undue advantages in both the public and private sectors
- Ensuring that legal persons are subject to effective, proportionate and dissuasive criminal or non-criminal sanctions for participating in criminal offenses
Commitment to Change
Despite these challenges, experts believe that Yemen is on the right track. “The country has made significant progress in implementing anti-corruption measures, but more needs to be done to tackle the root of the problem,” said a senior official at the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
“We are committed to continuing our efforts to combat corruption and ensure that those responsible for these crimes are held accountable.”