Viet Nam Human Rights
Corruption - obstacle to the development
10/3/15
Corruption is a
complex phenomenon in social - political and economic sector which affects
every country in the world. Prevention and elimination of corruption along with
its hazards to society is a necessary condition on building a future of
happiness and prosperity for everyone.
On October 31, 2003,
the UN General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention against
Corruption and requested the Secretary-General in charge of the UN Office on
Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to ensure operation of the Secretariat at the
Conference of States Parties to the Convention. The Convention is an important international
legal document, including the relatively comprehensive regulations on the
prevention of corruption and cooperation between countries in preventing
corruption. The provisions of the Convention in accordance with the fundamental
principles of international law.
The annually
December 12 is selected to commemorate the International Day for the prevention
of corruption in order to raise awareness of the international community on
this issue and to promote the role of the Convention on preventing and fighting
corruption . On this day every year, the UN often organizes propaganda campaign
against corruption on a global scale; at the same time, the United Nations
Secretary-General will submit to the people around the world the message of
prevention of corruption.
It is proved in
practice that corruption is a complex social political and economic phenomenon
affecting all countries in the world. According to the UN, it undermines every
democratic institutions, slows down economic growth and contributes to the
instability of the government. Corruption attacks the foundation of democratic
institutions by distorting the election, spoiling the rule of law and creating
bureaucracy, bribery. Corruption also undermines public institutions, thereby
leading to the risk of political instability. In addition, corruption retards
social economic development and increases poverty when redirecting foreign and
domestic investments in the most important areas and small businesses can not
overcome the “initial costs” related to corruption. Moreover, corruption is
also undermining the education system and the health system, deprivin full life
and prosperity of many people. Corruption also exacerbate inequality and
injustice when it ruins the rule of law and causes many innocent victims must
be punished because of facing the wrong judgment.
Corruption exists
in both rich and poor countries even negatively impacts both the poorest
populations in the world. Corruption hinders efforts to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals unanimously approved and determined by the international
community. It reduces the quality of life and encourages criminal organizations
and terrorism and other threats to human security. It contributes to
instability, poverty and is a dominant factor that countries face many
difficulties and uncertainties ...
To address this
concern, all countries, including governments, the private sector,
non-governmental organizations, the media and people around the world must work
together to fight against this type of crime. We often think that the
corruption is an ethical category. But reality shows that every society, every
sector and every individual will develop atrongly if it says “no” to this
crime.
In the message
given on International Day against corruption December 9, 2014, the UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said: “Corruption is a global phenomenon, in
which the poor are the first victims because it hinders the overall economic
growth and deprives the essential services of the investment programs.
Corruption affects the fate of millions of people at all stages of life. On the
International Day for prevention of corruption, we once again make the call for
everyone in the world to committed breaking the chain of corruption” -
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated.
In 2015, the
international community must agree on a sustainable development program for the
period after 2015. This will give people the means to act and mobilize strength
of community, the private sector and civil society in order to save millions of
people out of poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring everyone a prosperous
and dignified life. Eliminate corruption and its threat will cause a necessary
condition for our happy future.
To eliminate
corruption, senior leaders of the United Nations called on all countries ratify
and implement the UN Convention against Corruption. The bold measures that the
Convention has made in the areas of prevention, law, international cooperation
and asset recovery allowed to achieve great progress. However, we must do more.
It is essential that the public service must ensure the highest level of
integrity. The staff, elected officials have to work with the moral respect, pay
attention to transparency and accountability.
Besides, the
private sector has an important role. The deed actions will bring more
transparency and benefits for production and business’ activities. Instead of
investing in the fight against corruption, large corporations can support
sustainable development.
We can see clearly
that corruption is a global phenomenon which requires effort and determination from
the entire society to prevent. Termination of corruption, ensuring justice and
fairness will be the key to open the door towards a sustainable future and prosperity
for everyone.
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All comments [ 10 ]
major graft allegations stemming from a Japanese aid project warrant a reconsideration of aid’s role in international relations and a deeper rooting-out of corruption
While analysts have sought to assuage such fears, they also say the bottom line is that in a country where corruption is rife in public infrastructure projects, Vietnam has to jettison its entrenched mindset about ODA to prevent similar cases from occurring.
Vietnam should stop regarding ODA as an achievement in international relations so it can tread more carefully before deciding on asking for more international aid.
Since 1993, international donors have pledged an estimated amount of $58.4 billion worth of ODA to Vietnam, government figures show, helping develop thousands of projects ranging from building infrastructure to alleviating poverty and improving the environment.
But a very small part of it is non-refundable. Most of it are loans with interest rates which are not as preferential as assumed. Interest rates and loan fees increase if disbursement is delayed and the use of loans is ineffective.
Two thirds of the international aid has been earmarked for infrastructure projects where the bidding process and equipment purchase has long been considered fertile ground for graft and corruption.
Vietnam has made little headway in the latest corruption rankings by the Berlin-based watchdog Transparency International.
In the context of Vietnam achieving the first of its MDG on poverty reduction well ahead of the 2015 deadline, Japan will want to show the world that its aid is playing a role in this accomplishment, analysts say.
With corruption, such as the most recent bribery case, risking prompting skepticism among the Japanese people of the benefits of economic assistance to Vietnam, the Japanese government may have to respond by scaling back ODA to regain the trust of its people.
analysts say the bottom line is that instead of focusing on the actors, Vietnam needs to get to the bottom of systemic conditions that make bribery endemic such as the lack of transparency and lax government oversight.
The issue is to implement practices that reduce corruption in all government projects. The next step – but one that only works after corruption is minimized – is to evaluate very carefully whether a project, ODA or not, is the best deal for the country.
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