Albania corruption worsened in 2011, says report
Country ranks 95th out of 183, eight places below its 2010 ranking, according to Transparency International
TIRANA, Dec. 1 – Albania’s corruption has worsened in the last year, and the country’s ranking has fallen eight places to 95th out 183, according to the 2011 Transparency International Corruption Index report released Dec. 1.
The report gives Albania 3.1 points in the index, down from 3.3 in 2010. Albania is also at the bottom of the regional rankings, leaving behind only neighboring Kosovo, which is still experiencing the first few years of independence.
The negative trend was regional, however, as other Southeast European countries saw declines, with the exception of Montenegro. Croatia and Turkey lead the pack as cleanest in the region, according to Transparency International Albania representatives who presented the reports findings at a press conference Thursday.
“The TIA urges law enforcement agencies to engage in strictly implementing commitments and have political rhetoric translated into serious reforms in the governance of the country,” local TIA representatives said. “The anti-corruption battle must continue to be on the agenda of governance as a fundamental condition for EU integration processes.”
TIA representatives said efforts like the removal of immunity for senior officials, MPs, ministers, prosecutors and judges would put everyone as equal before the law.
Transparency International has chapters across the world with the stated aim of leading the fight against corruption.
Its latest global report notes that “corruption continues to plague too many countries around the world. It shows some governments failing to protect citizens from corruption, be it abuse of public resources, bribery or secretive decision-making.”
Transparency International warned that protests around the world, often fuelled by corruption and economic instability, clearly show citizens feel their leaders and public institutions are neither transparent nor accountable enough.
“This year we have seen corruption on protestors’ banners be they rich or poor. Whether in a Europe hit by debt crisis or an Arab world starting a new political era, leaders must heed the demands for better government,” said Huguette Labelle, Chair of Transparency International.
The index scores 183 countries and territories from 0 (highly corrupt) to 10 (very clean) based on perceived levels of public sector corruption. It uses data from 17 surveys that look at factors such as enforcement of anti-corruption laws, access to information and conflicts of interest.
Two thirds of ranked countries score less than 5. New Zealand ranks first, followed by Finland and Denmark. Somalia and North Korea are last.
“Eurozone countries suffering debt crises, partly because of public authorities’ failure to tackle the bribery and tax evasion that are key drivers of debt crisis, are among the lowest-scoring EU countries,” said a TI statement.
