Corruption Becomes Rampant for National Security - Democracy and Prosperity Movement

Baku / 02.02.19 / Turan: The Democracy and Prosperity Movement (ADR) distributed a document in which it expresses its attitude to the Corruption Perceptions Index-2018, published by Transparency International, in which Azerbaijan was placed at 152nd place among 180 countries and was among the most corrupt 28 countries.

Azerbaijan out of 100 possible scored only 25 points, which is 6 points less than in 2017 and dropped from 122nd place to 152nd.

At the same time, Georgia took 41st place, Armenia-105th, the Russian Federation and Iran share 138th place.

Among the countries of the post-Soviet space Azerbaijan is at the level with Tajikistan and only Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are ahead.

The sharp deterioration in the position of Azerbaijan is explained by the authors of the report with the scandal around money laundering - Azerbaijan Laundromat, as well as the deteriorating situation of the media and civil society.

Azerbaijan in the CPI shares 152-156 places along with Cameroon, Madagascar, Nicaragua and Tajikistan.

ADR expresses concern about the sharp decline in the place of Azerbaijan in the CPI by 30-34 points. It creates threats for the resolution of the Karabakh problem, national security, poverty reduction, and, in general, the future and development of the country, the statement says.

In addition, if the situation does not improve, a low rating in the CPI will lead to an outflow of capital from the country, a reduction in foreign investment, a decrease in the number of tourists, a decrease in the country's credit ratings, and a negative impact on the World Bank"s and other international financial institutions' estimates on Azerbaijan.

ADR considers it necessary to dissolve the Cabinet of Ministers and create a healthy reformist team capable of leading a real fight against corruption.

It also notes the importance of the urgent development of a mechanism for the declaration of income and property, the adoption of a law on the prevention of conflict of interest and the Competition Code, the Law on the Protection of informers on corruption, strengthening of supervision over the implementation of the "Code of Ethics of Civil Servants", increased accountability and transparency in the use of public resources, and, most importantly, independence of judiciary and courts.

In addition, law enforcement agencies should urgently begin to investigate the facts of corruption promulgated in local and foreign media, create normal conditions for the activities of opposition parties, independent institutions of civil society and the media, eliminate restrictions on freedom of assembly, and release political prisoners.

ADR was created in 2015 under the guidance of a prominent scientist and economist Gubad Ibadoglu. -06D--