Corruption: it looks more not like a struggle, but creation of its visibility

Baku/27.04.21/Turan: “The fight against bribery and corruption in Azerbaijan is not systemic and serves rather to create visibility than the fight itself”, stated the co-founder of the human rights organization “Line of Defense” Zaur Akbar in the “Difficult question” Program by  Turan  agency aired on April 27.

The informational reason for the broadcast was the arrest on April 26 by law enforcement agencies of the head of the Shamkir District Executive Power Alim Pasha and some officials of the district. Meanwhile, the human rights activist says, in recent days about 15-20 doctors have been arrested on charges of bribery and embezzlement.

Based on this, the author says that a powerful fight against bribery and corruption is going on in Azerbaijan, but Zaur Akper does not think so. In his opinion, what is the system of political governance in the country, so is the fight against bribery and corruption.

“If there was a serious fight against bribery and corruption in the country, this issue should have been completed. However, it seems like there is more visibility here than the struggle itself, since several people of lower rank have been arrested. If there is a serious struggle, then why the arrested leaders of the executive branch do not learn the lessons from the arrest of their predecessors?" says Zaur Akper.

Zaur Akper says that the fight against bribery and corruption in Azerbaijan will not end due to the fact that people have low salaries, they do not meet their needs, and on the other hand, such a process as "redistribution" of property between clans is not yet completed ...

The human rights activist says that both hidden bribes and corruption are doing their job and continue to take place, albeit not openly.

In his opinion, bribery and corruption in Azerbaijan is already a way of life and it is not possible to stop them, and everyone gives as many “bribes” as they can afford. “So this trouble comes from the very system of government and is a trait inherent in an authoritarian regime,” says Zaur Akbar.

As for the way out of this situation, Zaur Akbar believes that comprehensive measures should be taken here. Therefore, first, fundamental human rights must be recognized in the country, control of society over governance must be ensured, everyone must have the right to a decent salary and life.

In his opinion, this applies to employees of law enforcement, judicial authorities, education, medicine, etc. they should be provided with such a high salary that they are not prone to bribery and corruption. -05B-