Transparency International calls for new anti-corruption legislation in Egypt to tighten existing gaps
Transparency International (TI), the global anti-corruption organisation, is calling for significant revisions in Egypt’s legislation to tackle corruption either by introducing new laws or closing loopholes in existing legislation.
This is one of the recommendations of Transparency International’s report: Legislation in Egypt: an analysis of compliance with the UN Convention against Corruption which examined the legal framework in place in Egypt before the 25 of January revolution to fight corruption and offers key recommendations on how to strengthen Egypt’s ability to fight corruption.
“Egyptians took to the streets demanding an end to corruption. Now is the time for the authorities to address the gaps in legislation that allowed corruption to flourish and those in power to get away with impunity,” said Omnia Hussien, Programme Coordinator, Middle East and North Africa.
The report shows that despite being one of the 140 signatories, Egypt has failed to comply with the UNCAC in several key areas. These include laws governing whether politicians can hold private sector jobs, whistleblower protection and access to information.
Nepotism and conflict of interest flourished in the civil service in Egypt because the executive branch held the power of both job appointments and legal appointments. In addition, there was no incentive for people to report corruption because they were not protected under the law.
The report makes a series of recommendations that include:
- A comprehensive national strategy for combating corruption, including an action plan with effective measures and tools for implementatio
- An effective partnership among government, civil society organisations, the media and the business sector in designing and implementing such strategy
- An independent anti-corruption body to monitor the implementation of the strategy
- New codes of conduct for each government authority or body
- Access to information laws
- Effective whistleblower protection legislation
In its review of Egyptian legislation the interim government should look carefully at anti-corruption measures. This new report can help identify key areas where reforms are needed, as well as gaps in existing laws that have allowed corruption to flourish until now.
Transparency International is the global civil society organisation leading the fight against corruption
Note to editors:
Egypt signed the UNCAC in 2003 and ratified in 2005. The Convention was adopted by the UN in 2003. Since then 140 countries have ratified it.
For any press enquiries please contact
Deborah Wise Unger, Media and Public Relations Manager
Transparency International
T: +49 30 34 38 20 666
E: [email protected]
