Fighting corruption should be the world’s top priority for many reasons. The ill- effects of corruption are well known— corruption obstructs sustainable development, erodes confidence in institutions, and facilitates transnational crime. It prevents, for example, medicines and health care from reaching the sick, children from getting their education, nourishment and housing, and it weakens the capacities and potentials of countries when national treasuries are robbed and natural resources are diverted for personal and illicit gain.
Fragile states struggling to maintain the rule of law can not only become breeding grounds for corruption, but also can become magnets for crime and trafficking in drugs and weapons; and consequently can export violence far beyond their borders. Indeed, in these states, criminals and other illicit actors undermine state functions to a point that official institutions become, themselves, criminal enterprise. This is particularly problematic when the military, police, border control, and justice system officials side with traffickers. Government protection of criminal elements can take many forms — officials may turn a blind eye to a syndicate’s illicit activity, choose not to pursue investigative leads, and opt not to enact or enforce laws.
Fighting corruption internationally requires continued strong, coordinated effort among nations to build governance and law-enforcement systems that prevent corruption. Countries need to work collectively to investigate and prosecute corruption and ultimately recover stolen assets. Also increase network of anticorruption and law enforcement officials that can share expertise and resources, to hold corrupt officials accountable, recover their ill-gotten gains, deny safe haven to dishonest people and combat impunity and insecurity across the globe.
Fragile states struggling to maintain the rule of law can not only become breeding grounds for corruption, but also can become magnets for crime and trafficking in drugs and weapons; and consequently can export violence far beyond their borders. Indeed, in these states, criminals and other illicit actors undermine state functions to a point that official institutions become, themselves, criminal enterprise. This is particularly problematic when the military, police, border control, and justice system officials side with traffickers. Government protection of criminal elements can take many forms — officials may turn a blind eye to a syndicate’s illicit activity, choose not to pursue investigative leads, and opt not to enact or enforce laws.
Fighting corruption internationally requires continued strong, coordinated effort among nations to build governance and law-enforcement systems that prevent corruption. Countries need to work collectively to investigate and prosecute corruption and ultimately recover stolen assets. Also increase network of anticorruption and law enforcement officials that can share expertise and resources, to hold corrupt officials accountable, recover their ill-gotten gains, deny safe haven to dishonest people and combat impunity and insecurity across the globe.