Growing corruption in Arab countries, Lebanon and Yemen worst of all

According to the study conducted by Transparency International in nine Arab countries, 92% of Lebanese and 84% of Yemenis say corruption is on the rise. By contrast, only 28% of Egyptians and 26% of Algerians believe that the situation is getting worse. Tunisia only note of hope: 71% believe that even ordinary people "can make a difference" in the fight against corruption.

 

Beirut (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Corruption is a growing phenomenon, with particular incidence in Lebanon, a nation immersed in a serious political crisis, and in Yemen, battered by a bloody conflict with Islamic extremist tendencies. This is shown by a study carried out by experts of Transparency International (TI), released this morning and conducted in nine countries and territories in the Arab region.

The study by the NGO based in Berlin (Germany) shows that 61% of respondents in nine states (Yemen, Egypt, Sudan, Morocco, Lebanon, Algeria, Palestinian Territories, Tunisia and Jordan), believes corruption is "on the rise" . However, the data varies - and a lot - from one territory to another.

In fact, 92% of Lebanese, 84% in Yemen and 75% of respondents in Jordan believes that corruption is growing; in contrast, only 28% in Egypt and 26% in Algeria believes that the situation is getting worse. In addition, 77% of Yemenis and 50% of Egyptians have admitted to having paid a bribe to receive a public service, compared with 9% of Tunisian and 4% of Jordanians.

Added to this is the discontent of public opinion against their respective governments, accused of not doing enough in the fight against corruption: here the data is very negative in Yemen (91% of dissatisfaction with the government) and 58% in Egypt.

According to experts of Transparency International 'dissatisfaction with corrupt leaders and regimes" was one of the catalysts "of the desire for change in the region ", in particular it was the engine of the various Arab Springs, although most largely failed. "Five years later – the report reads - the study shows that governments have done little or nothing in the field of anti-corruption laws."

Particular concern emerges for Lebanon, immersed in  a serious political crisis, without a president for two years, and laws since 2009. The data emerged in the Land of the Cedars  is very similar to those that emerged in Yemen, a nation swept by a bloody civil war.

The only note of hope comes from Tunisia, the only nation where the Arab Spring did not result in chaos or dictatorship.  71% of respondents believe all residents may contribute to the fight against corruption and "ordinary people can make a difference". However, the majority (62%) say that the government's action is unsatisfactory and corruption continues to increase (64%).

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• East Arabs corruption economy development Arab
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