Bahrain marks International Anti-corruption Day

Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa affirmed that corruption is an international phenomenon that isn't limited to the third world but covers also developed countries. This affects the development and economic process and threatens individuals and societies. The Minister said that anti-corruption needs a comprehensive system of cooperation between concerned bodies of officials and non-official organisations and NGOs, in addition to the media to unite efforts to present criminals to justice. In a statement marking the International Anti-Corruption Day, which falls on December 9, he hailed the positive results of the Royal Decree 109 for 2011, establishing the General Directorate of Anti-Corruption and Economic and Electronic Security. He revealed an increase in the reported corruption-crime related cases this year compared with last year as it reached 97 cases; 15 cases of exploitation of post or power, 72 embezzlement cases and 11 bribery cases. He explained that the role of the Interior Ministry isn't limited to monitor and arrest corruption criminals, but to eliminate corruption through studying and analysis its causes and related statistics to set plans to achieve the targeted plans. He said that the ministry also carried out awareness campaigns for all segments in society to reinforce transparency and integrity, which are important elements to fight corruption. He concluded that signing the related international agreement, joining international anti-corruption organizations and drafting active legislations are the most important steps to eliminate all types of corruptions. AHN