Corruption Perceptions Index 2012

PRESS RELEASE 5 TH DECEMBER Governments should hear the global outcry against corruption A growing outcry over corrupt governments forced several leaders from office last year, but as the dust has cleared it has become apparent that the levels of bribery, abuse of power and secret dealings are still very high in many countries. Transparency International’s 2012 Corruption Perceptions Index shows corruption continues to ravage societies around the world. Many of the countries where citizens challenged their leaders to stop corruption –from the Middle East to Asia to Europe – have seen their positions in the index stagnate or worsen. “Governments need to integrate anti-corruption actions into all public decision- making. Priorities to reduce the exposure to corruption risk include better rules on lobbying and political financing, making public spending and contracting more transparent and making public bodies more accountable to people. After a year of focus on corruption, we expected governments to take a tougher stance in 2012 against the abuse of power. The Corruption Perceptions Index results demonstrate that societies continue to pay the high cost of corruption . ” Huguette Labelle, the Chair of Transparency International.