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CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2020 International is a global movement with one vision: a world in which , business, civil and the daily lives of people are free of . With more than 100 chapters worldwide and an international secretariat in Berlin, we are leading the fight against corruption to turn this vision into reality.

#cpi2020 www.transparency.org/cpi

Every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the information contained in this report. All information was believed to be correct as of January 2021. Nevertheless, Transparency International cannot accept responsibility for the consequences of its use for other purposes or in other contexts.

ISBN: 978-3-96076-157-0

2021 Transparency International. Except where otherwise noted, this work is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0 DE. Quotation permitted. Please contact Transparency International – [email protected] – regarding derivatives requests. CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2020

2-3 12-13 20-21 Map and results Americas Sub-Saharan 4-5 summary Recommendations 14-15 22-23 Pacific Western and

TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE 6-7 Global highlights

8-10 16-17 Eastern Europe & 24 COVID-19 and Central Asia Methodology corruption Health expenditure 25 Endnotes 11 18-19 Middle East & North Regional highlights Africa TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL

180 COUNTRIES. 180 SCORES. HOW DOES YOUR COUNTRY MEASURE UP?

The perceived levels of corruption in 180 countries/territories around the world.

SCORE Highly Very Corrupt Clean

0-9 10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89 90-100 No data

SCORE COUNTRY/TERRITORY RANK 69 23 56 45 45 67 88 1 68 24 56 Poland 45 44 69 88 1 67 25 56 45 44 69 85 3 67 25 55 48 44 69 85 3 66 27 54 Czechia 49 44 69 85 3 65 28 54 49 44 69 85 3 64 29 54 49 44 69 84 7 63 Bahamas 30 53 52 43 75 82 8 63 30 53 52 43 75 80 9 62 32 53 Malta 52 43 Vanuatu 75 80 9 61 Korea, South 33 53 52 42 78 77 11 61 33 53 52 42 78 77 11 60 35 51 57 42 78 77 11 60 35 51 57 42 78 77 11 Darussalam 50 59 42 78 76 15 60 35 49 60 41 83 76 15 60 35 49 60 41 83 75 17 60 35 49 60 41 83 75 17 59 Saint Vincent and 40 47 Belarus 63 40 86 the Grenadines 74 19 47 63 40 86 58 Cabo Verde 41 72 Ireland 20 47 63 40 Morocco 86 57 42 71 United Arab 21 47 Sao Tome 63 40 Timor-Leste 86 Emirates 57 42 and Principe 40 Trinidad and 86 71 21 57 42 45 67 Tobago

2 CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2020

40 86 35 111 28 Dominican 137 22 159 39 92 34 115 21 160 39 92 34 115 28 137 21 160 38 94 33 117 28 137 21 160 38 94 33 117 28 Myanmar 137 21 160 38 94 33 117 28 137 21 160 38 Peru 94 33 117 27 142 19 165 38 Serbia 94 33 117 27 142 19 165 38 94 33 Zambia 117 27 Papua New 142 19 Congo 165 Guinea 38 94 32 123 19 Guinea Bissau 165 27 142 38 94 31 124 19 165 26 146 37 Gambia 102 31 124 18 Democratic 170 26 Central African 146 37 102 31 124 Republic of Republic the Congo 36 104 31 124 26 146 18 170 36 104 31 124 25 149 18 Korea, North 170 36 Cote d'Ivoire 104 30 129 25 149 17 173 36 104 30 129 25 149 16 174 36 104 30 Malawi 129 25 Lebanon 149 16 174 36 104 30 129 25 149 15 176 36 104 30 129 25 149 15 176 35 Bosnia and 111 29 134 25 149 Herzegovina 14 178 29 134 25 149 35 111 12 179 29 134 24 Honduras 157 35 111 12 179 24 157

3 TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This year’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) paints a grim picture of the of corruption worldwide. While most countries have made little to no progress in tackling corruption in nearly a decade, more than two-thirds of countries score below 50. Our analysis shows corruption not only undermines the global health response to COVID-19, but contributes to a continuing crisis of .

2020 proved to be one of the infected, and nearly 2 million insidious effects of corruption worst years in recent history, people lost their lives around the undermining a fair and equitable with the outbreak of the global world.1 global response. COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating effects. The health As the past tumultuous year has Reports of corruption during and economic impact on shown, COVID-19 is not just a COVID-192 have reverberated individuals and communities health and economic crisis, but across the globe. worldwide has been catastrophic. a corruption crisis as well, with More than 90 million people were countless lives lost due to the

100 THE CPI USES A 0 COUNTRIES SCALE FROM 0 180 SCORED TO 100

The CPI scores 180 countries and territories by 100 is very clean and 0 is highly corrupt their perceived levels of public sector corruption, according to experts and businesspeople.

2/3 OF COUNTRIES SCORE BELOW THE AVERAGE SCORE IS

50/100 43/100 4 CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2020

From and show most people are hopeful of those most vulnerable. As the to overpricing and favourtism, that they can make a difference global community transitions corruption in health care takes in the face of corruption,5 from crisis to recovery, anti- many forms.3 We risk losing even these made headlines corruption efforts must keep more, however, if we don’t learn and highlighted the power of pace to ensure a fair and from previous lessons in times collective action in speaking out. just revival.6 of crisis.4 The emergency response Over the last year, despite to the COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19, people around the revealed enormous cracks in world gathered in force to health systems and democratic join massive protests against institutions, underscoring that corruption and for social justice those in power or who hold and political change. Consistent government purse strings often with public opinion surveys that serve their own interests instead

Recommendations

To fight COVID-19 and curb corruption, it is essential for countries to:

1. STRENGTHEN OVERSIGHT 2. ENSURE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT INSTITUTIONS CONTRACTING

The COVID-19 response exposed vulnerabilities of Many have drastically relaxed weak oversight and inadequate transparency. To procurement processes. These rushed and opaque ensure resources reach those most in need and are procedures provide ample opportunity for corruption not subject to by the corrupt, anti-corruption and the diversion of public resources. Contracting authorities and oversight institutions must have processes must remain open and transparent to sufficient funds, resources, and independence to combat wrongdoing, identify conflicts of interest and perform their duties. ensure fair pricing.

3. DEFEND DEMOCRACY, PROMOTE 4. PUBLISH RELEVANT DATA, CIVIC SPACE GUARANTEE ACCESS

The COVID-19 crisis exacerbated democratic decline, The publication of disaggregated data on spending with some governments exploiting the pandemic to and distribution of resources is particularly relevant suspend parliaments, renounce public in emergency situations, to ensure fair and equitable mechanisms, and incite against dissidents. policy responses. Governments should also ensure To defend civic space, groups and the people receive easy, accessible, timely and meaningful media must have the conditions to hold information by guaranteeing their right to access governments accountable. information.

5 TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL

GLOBAL HIGHLIGHTS

This year’s CPI shows corruption is more pervasive in countries least equipped to handle the COVID-19 pandemic and other global crises.

The index, which ranks 180 Like previous years, more than In addition to earning poor countries and territories by their two-thirds of countries score scores, nearly half of all countries perceived levels of public sector below 50 on this year’s CPI, with have been stagnant on the CPI for corruption according to experts an average score of just 43. The almost a decade. These countries and businesspeople, uses a scale data shows that despite some have failed to move the needle of zero to 100, where zero is progress, most countries still fail in any significant way to improve highly corrupt and 100 is to tackle corruption effectively. their score and combat public very clean. sector corruption.

HIGHEST SCORING REGION LOWEST SCORING REGION WESTERN EUROPE & SUB-SAHARAN EUROPEAN UNION AFRICA

66/100 32/100 AVERAGE REGIONAL SCORE AVERAGE REGIONAL SCORE

SINCE 2018 SINCE 2018

6 CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2020

0 100

01 DENMARK 88/100

02 NEW ZEALAND 88/100

03 FINLAND 85/100

04 SINGAPORE 85/100

TOP COUNTRIES 05 SWEDEN 85/100

06 SWITZERLAND 85/100

176 VENEZUELA 15/100

177 YEMEN 15/100

178 SYRIA 14/100

179 SOMALIA 12/100

BOTTOM COUNTRIES 180 SOUTH SUDAN 12/100

0 100 GLOBAL AVERAGE

The top countries on the CPI Since 2012: are Denmark and New Zealand, with scores of 88, followed by COUNTRIES IMPROVED* Finland, Singapore, Sweden and Including: Switzerland, with scores of 85 each. Greece (+14) Myanmar (+13) The bottom countries are South Ecuador (+7) Sudan and Somalia, with scores of 12 each, followed by Syria (14), Yemen (15) and Venezuela (15). 26

Since 2012, 26 countries COUNTRIES DECLINED* improved their CPI scores, Including: including Greece, Myanmar and Ecuador. In the same period, 22 Lebanon (-5) countries decreased their scores, Malawi (-7) including Lebanon, Malawi and Bosnia & Herzegovina (-7) Bosnia & Herzegovina*. 22

*In these six examples, we report THE REMAINING COUNTRIES MADE the year between 2012 and 2020 from which the score change is LITTLE OR NO PROGRESS IN THE FIGHT statistically significant. AGAINST CORRUPTION IN RECENT YEARS

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COVID-19 AND CORRUPTION

Corruption undermines an equitable response to COVID-19 and other crises, highlighting the importance of transparency and anti-corruption measures in emergency situations.

While existing research7 shows Corruption is prevalent across the Transparency is nevertheless key that corruption negatively COVID-19 response, from bribery to ensure public resources are affects people’s access to high for COVID-19 tests, treatment spent appropriately and reach quality health care, our analysis and other health services, to their intended recipients. For this also indicates that even when public procurement of medical reason, robust and transparent for economic supplies and overall emergency procedures for budget development, higher levels of preparedness. allocations, public , and corruption are associated with audits must be in place before a lower universal health care Our analysis shows that crisis hits. coverage and higher rates of corruption diverts funds from infant and maternal mortality and much needed investment in Finally, our research shows from cancer, diabetes, health care, leaving communities that corruption continues to respiratory and cardiovascular without doctors, equipment, undermine democracy,8 even diseases. medicines and, in some cases, during the COVID-19 pandemic. clinics and hospitals. In addition, Countries with higher levels of Corruption is one of the key a lack of transparency in public corruption tend to be the worst barriers to achieving the spending heightens the risk of perpetrators of democratic ’ Sustainable corruption and ineffective crisis and rule-of- breaches while Development Goals (SDGs), response. managing the COVID-19 crisis. and the COVID-19 pandemic is making those goals even more Budget transparency, particularly difficult to attain. The long-term during an emergency response effects of corruption on health like COVID-19 when speed and care systems remind us that efficiency matter, can be difficult corruption often intensifies the to enforce during a crisis. effects of a crisis.

COVID-19 is not just a health and economic crisis. It’s a corruption crisis. And one that we’re currently failing to manage.

Delia Ferreira Rubio Chair, Transparency International

Photo: World Economic Forum/Benedikt von Loebell / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

8 CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2020

HEALTH EXPENDITURE

Corruption shifts public spending away from essential public services. Countries with higher levels of corruption, regardless of , tend to spend less on health.

CORRUPTION AND HEALTH SPENDING

Lower investment in public health is associated with higher levels of corruption. Each dot represents a country’s average CPI score (2012-2017) compared to average health expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2012-2017).13

11

10

9

8

7

6 6.2

5

4 3.5 3

2 1.8

AVERAGE GOVERNMENT HEALTH SPENDING AS % OF GDP (2012-2017) HEALTH GOVERNMENT AVERAGE 1

0

66-100 34-65 0-33

AVERAGE CPI 2012-2017

Romania 44 Uruguay 71 Bangladesh 26

With a score of 44, Romania With a score of 71, Uruguay is a With a score of 26, Bangladesh consistently rates as one of the top performer on the CPI in Latin is one of the worst performers most corrupt European Union America. Government spending on the CPI in Asia Pacific. The (EU) countries on the CPI. The on health care is among the government invests little in health country’s expenditures on health highest in the region. The country care11 while corruption flourishes. care are also below the EU has a robust epidemiological Corruption during COVID-19 average. In addition to under- surveillance system,10 which has ranges from bribery in health funding, Romania has shortages aided its response to COVID-19 clinics to misappropriated .12 In of medical personnel.9 and other infectious diseases, like addition, corruption is pervasive yellow fever and Zika. in the procurement of medical supplies and contracts between powerful businesspeople and government officials.

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DEMOCRATIC BACKSLIDING

Corruption continues to contribute to democratic backsliding during the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries with higher levels of corruption rely on less democratic responses to the crisis.

CORRUPTION AND COVID-19 DEMOCRATIC VIOLATIONS

Democratic violations in response to COVID-19 are more common in countries with higher levels of corruption. Each dot represents a country’s CPI 2020 score, and the circles represent the average CPI score for that category of democratic violation.14

100

80 74

60

CPI 2020 46 40 36 33

20

0 NO VIOLATIONS MINOR VIOLATIONS SOME VIOLATIONS MAJOR VIOLATIONS

PANDEMIC VIOLATIONS OF DEMOCRATIC STANDARDS INDEX (PanDem)

United States 67 Philippines 34 New Zealand 88

With a score of 67, the United With a score of 34, efforts With a score of 88, New Zealand States reaches its lowest position to control corruption in the scores top marks on the CPI. The on the CPI since 2012. The Philippines appear mostly country’s response to COVID-19 Administration’s challenges to stagnant since 2012. The was lauded for its effectiveness oversight15 of the unprecedented government’s response to although there are doubts about US$1 trillion COVID-19 relief COVID-19 has been characterised transparency standards.18 While package raised serious anti- by abusive enforcement16, and the government communicates corruption concerns and major violations of openly about the measures and marked a significant retreat and media freedom.17 policies it puts in place, more from longstanding democratic transparency is needed around norms promoting accountable public procurement for COVID-19 government. recovery.

10 CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2020

REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

While corruption differs in scale and scope across regions, it proved to be a universal obstacle to effectively combatting COVID-19.

At the top of the CPI, the but left citizens without access to At the bottom of the CPI, Sub- pandemic tested Western Europe emergency aid. Saharan Africa responded to and the EU, with many countries COVID-19 with protests against lacking full transparency and In the Middle East and North rising costs of living, corruption accountability. Africa, countries weakened anti- and the misuse of emergency corruption measures, while parts funds. In Asia Pacific and the Americas, of Eastern Europe and Central some governments used Asia reduced oversight and COVID-19 to consolidate power, curtailed .

RESULTS BY REGION

Average regional scores, with top and bottom performers in each region.

66 36 WESTERN EUROPE EASTERN EUROPE & EU & CENTRAL ASIA Average score Average score

Top: Denmark (88/100) Top: Georgia (56/100) Bottom: Bulgaria, Hungary, Bottom: Turkmenistan (19/100) Romania (44/100) 43 39 AMERICAS Average score MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA Top: Canada (77/100) Average score Bottom: Venezuela (15/100) Top: (71/100) Bottom: Syria (14/100) 45 ASIA PACIFIC 32 Average score SUB-SAHARAN Top: New Zealand (88/100) AFRICA Bottom: (18/100) Average score

Top: Seychelles (66/100) Bottom: Somalia, South Sudan (12/100)

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AMERICAS

With an average score of 43 for the fifth consecutive year, the Americas showcases corruption and the mismanagement of funds in one of the regions most affected by the COVID-19 crisis. TOP SCORERS

CANADA 77/100 32 URUGUAY 71/100

COUNTRIES ASSESSED UNITED STATES 67/100 BOTTOM SCORERS BOTTOM NICARAGUA /100 22/100 43 HAITI 18/100 AVERAGE REGIONAL VENEZUELA SCORE 15/100

Canada and Uruguay are in the form of various states region is ensuring that funds and consistently top performers, of emergency20 that restricted programmes for COVID-19 relief with scores of 77 and 71 civil rights. These restrictions are not lost to corruption and respectively, while Nicaragua, curtailed freedoms of speech and reach the intended recipients. Haiti and Venezuela are the worst assembly, weakened institutional Failure to deliver this aid risks performers, with scores of 22, 18 checks and balances, and increased social discontent, and 15 respectively. reduced space for civil society.21 stokes harmful populism, and creates still greater poverty25 and In a region already characterised An alarming concentration of inequality. by weak government institutions, power in the executive branches COVID-19 has highlighted deep in countries like Colombia22 Governments must also social and economic inequalities, (39) and El Salvador23 (36) has guarantee that the development, with its disproportionate effects contributed to an explosion in purchase and distribution on vulnerable populations, irregularities and corruption of COVID-19 treatments and including women, girls,19 cases24 associated with COVID-19 vaccines are transparent and indigenous groups, the elderly, related procurement. Across equitable. It is crucial that migrants and Afro-Americans. the region, citizens struggle to governments permit civil society Similar to other regions around access reliable and up-to-date organisations and the press to the world, governments in the information on health statistics function as watchdogs, holding Americas took extraordinary and emergency procurement. politicians and businesses to measures to fight COVID-19 A major challenge facing the account.

12 CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2020

COUNTRIES TO WATCH

Peru found guilty of corruption from with corruption, COVID-19 and applying to public positions or the resulting economic crisis28 With a score of 38, Peru improves being designated to positions remains high. Investigations two points, but remains relatively of trust.26 The second improves of high-level political leaders stagnant on the index since 2012. transparency, accountability and and prominent businesspeople Investigations of corruption cases integrity in political financing.27 should be brought to trial and the recent approval of crucial and sentences confirmed as anti-corruption offer some The presidential appropriate, to maintain improvements. scheduled for April 2021 present . an opportunity to end impunity Specifically, two laws provide and hold power to account in hope. One prevents people Peru, where social discontent

Peru faces structural corruption,29 impunity and political instability.30 In less than five years, the country has rejected four presidents, three of whom are under investigation for corruption.

Photo: © Musuk Nolte

Honduras Weak institutions contribute to and Impunity in Honduras, a lack of disaster preparedness31 run by the Organization of With a score of 24, Honduras and a uniform American States.34 Congress also declines by two points to reach creates an overdependence on approved a series of laws35 that a new low on the CPI. In the last agriculture and natural resources promote corruption and hinder year, Honduras was devastated for income.32 investigations.36 by both COVID-19 and the 2020 hurricane season, and continues The status of anti-corruption Reports reveal an alarming to suffer from high levels of efforts is similarly grim. lack of planning in the and inequality. The country lost millions to country’s COVID-19 related corruption in the last decade33 purchases,37 over-pricing of and experienced significant medical equipment and opaque setbacks in the fight against contractual arrangements38 in the impunity with the termination procurement process for field of the Mission to Support hospitals. the Fight against Corruption

In Honduras, transparency is paramount for a successful recovery from COVID-19 and natural disasters.

Photo: Peg Hunter / CC BY-NC 2.0

13 TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL

ASIA PACIFIC

With an average score of 45, the Asia Pacific region struggles to combat corruption and tackle the profound health and economic impact of COVID-19. TOP SCORERS

NEW ZEALAND 88/100 31 SINGAPORE 85/100 COUNTRIES ASSESSED AUSTRALIA 77/100 BOTTOM SCORERS BOTTOM

CAMBODIA 21/100 /100 45 AFGHANISTAN 19/100 AVERAGE REGIONAL NORTH KOREA SCORE 18/100

With a score of 88, New Zealand in the COVID-19 response. materialising effectively. is consistently one of the top performers on the CPI, both In , civil society The Maldives (43), which climbed in the region and around the demanded an audit of emergency 14 points on the index since world. The country is followed funds and procurement40 to last year shows a positive trend by Singapore (85), Australia (77) ensure an inclusive process. on the CPI and experienced and Hong Kong (77). Conversely, In the Solomon Islands, little advances in democratic space Cambodia (21), Afghanistan (19) progress has been made since and the removal of several and North Korea (18) earn the the passing of the 2018 anti- repressive laws. lowest scores in the region. corruption law and, in 2020, key government actors were accused With a score of 19, Afghanistan is In some Pacific countries, of diverting funds41 intended to a significant improver on the CPI, COVID-19 and cyclone Harold help people struggling during the increasing 11 points since 2012. exposed several cracks in already pandemic. The country instituted significant weak governance systems. legal and institutional reforms In Asia, key such as and recently announced plans to Civil society actors and allies India (40), Indonesia (37) and establish a new anti-corruption across Vanuatu (43), Papua New Bangladesh (26) experienced commission. Guinea (27) and the Solomon slow progress in anti-corruption Islands (42) called for greater efforts, with several government transparency and accountability39 commitments to reform not yet

14 CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2020

COUNTRIES TO WATCH

Vanuatu volatile, with frequent motions of citizens in public service delivery44 no confidence filed against the with the aim of improving With a score of 43, Vanuatu government.42 The former Prime efficiency and effectiveness. remains stagnant on the CPI. Minister Charlot Salwai was the However, implementation of Highly vulnerable to the impact first to complete a full four-year the necessary legal, policy, and of natural disasters, it was hit the term in office in more than a anti-corruption frameworks hardest by Cyclone Harold at the decade. Political instability43 has remains a challenge. For peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. contributed to an environment example, difficulties with the rife with bribery, , and implementation of a right to Since its independence in 1980, of funds. information law45 highlights Vanuatu has been politically concerns over timely fulfilment of In a positive development, the information requests. country is taking steps to engage

In Vanuatu, strong political will is one of the most important factors in addressing corruption and improving transparency and accountability.

Photo: ITU/R.Farrell / CC BY 2.0

Myanmar and an increased political will to However, despite these combat . improvements, there are legal With a score of 28, Myanmar is a and structural gaps that hinder significant improver on the CPI, A recent report, Global Corruption anti-corruption efforts. increasing 13 points since 2012. Barometer - Asia47, found that In addition, the continues an overwhelming number of to act with impunity48 and Investigations of high-level Myanmar citizens think their the government does little to officials and the implementation government is doing a good protect human rights,49 including of legal and institutional reforms46 job in tackling corruption, and freedoms of expression and point to some progress in the that ordinary people can make assembly. country’s anti-corruption efforts a difference in the fight against corruption.

The protection of , including freedoms of speech, assembly and association, is a critical foundation for and integrity.

Photo: Chaton Chokpatara / Shutterstock.com

15 TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL

EASTERN EUROPE & CENTRAL ASIA

With an average score of 36, Eastern Europe and Central Asia is the second-lowest performing region on the CPI and vulnerable to corruption compounded by COVID-19. TOP SCORERS

GEORGIA 56/100 19 ARMENIA 49/100

COUNTRIES ASSESSED BELARUS 47/100 BOTTOM SCORERS BOTTOM

UZBEKISTAN 26/100 /100 36 TAJIKISTAN 25/100 AVERAGE REGIONAL TURKMENISTAN SCORE 19/100

Georgia (56), Armenia (49) and COVID-19 provided corrupt With a score of 31, Kyrgyzstan is Belarus (47) lead the region, while and authoritarian leaders with a significant improver, jumping Uzbekistan (26), Tajikistan (25) an excuse to reduce oversight seven points since 2012. and Turkmenistan (19) bring up of government spending and However, widespread corruption the rear. curtail civil liberties. These efforts and a lack of transparency and decreased transparency of accountability have undermined Across the region, COVID-19 foreign aid spending,52 making it an adequate response to exposed ongoing governance and difficult to track funds and ensure COVID-19. With a score of 35, structural problems, highlighted appropriate distribution to the is a widespread corruption, and intended recipients.53 Research significant decliner, dropping exacerbated social discontent. shows corruption undermines seven points since 2012. During Some political leaders used the democratic rights and the pandemic, the country crisis to increase their power, institutions,54 such as freedom of experienced numerous violations add restrictions to already limited speech, access to information and of human and labour rights, access to information,50 eliminate an independent , and as well as in transparency requirements from limits citizens’ ability to hold their economic aid distribution and public procurement rules51 and governments accountable.55 alleged unlawful procurement of renounce public accountability medical equipment.56 mechanisms.

16 CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2020

COUNTRIES TO WATCH

Serbia In response to COVID-19, Serbia against health care workers61 took several controversial who criticised its response to the With this year’s one-point drop, steps, including suspending public health crisis. Serbia (38) earns its lowest Parliament,57 implementing score on the CPI since 2012. The extensive curfews, and inciting After years of neglect, the country’s biggest corruption violence against protesters.58 country’s health system was challenges include serious rule-of- tested by COVID-19, with dire law issues, continued democratic In addition, the arrested consequences. Corruption erosion and efforts to silence and detained an investigative remains an obstacle to medical critical voices. journalist,59 while the government specialisation and career restricted access to information60 advancement. on the procurement of medical equipment, and retaliated

In Serbia, corruption contributes to challenges with the , an erosion of democratic norms and the silencing of critical voices.

Photo: AleksandarS / Shutterstock.com

Belarus Grand corruption63 remains a as the Group of States against problem in Belarus, where it is Corruption (GRECO), publicly With a score of 47, Belarus is concentrated within the highest declared65 Belarus as “non- a significant improver on the levels of government.64 For compliant” for failing to address CPI, jumping 16 points since years, the president’s office has the vast majority of necessary 2012. However, in 2020, weekly exercised authoritative power anti-corruption reforms and citizen protests began against with little to no legislative or recommendations. the contested presidential judicial checks and balances while results, with national and the economy has mostly been international onlookers sounding controlled by the state. alarms62 about police violence and ill-treatment of citizens at the In 2019, the ’s hands of police. anti-corruption body, known

In 2020, mass protests and rocked Belarus, which continues to struggle with grand corruption and .

Photo: Ruslan Kalnitsky / Shutterstock.com

17 TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL

MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA

With an average score of 39 for the third consecutive year, the Middle East and North Africa region is still perceived as highly corrupt, with little progress made towards controlling corruption. TOP SCORERS

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 71/100 18 QATAR 63/100 COUNTRIES ASSESSED BOTTOM SCORERS BOTTOM

LIBYA 17/100 /100 YEMEN 39 15/100 SYRIA AVERAGE REGIONAL 14/100 SCORE

The United Arab Emirates and ill. Trust in the public sector also also remains Qatar are the top regional plummeted when it became clear a challenge across the region. In performers on the CPI, with that there were no good crisis Iraq (21), corruption enshrined in scores of 71 and 63 respectively, management protocols in place,67 the system70 deprives people of while Libya (17), Yemen (15) and and that public administrations their basic rights, including access Syria (14) are among the worst were too depleted68 to re- to safe drinking water, health performers. organise quickly and efficiently. care, uninterrupted electricity, opportunities and Across the region, years of Despite small gains by civil an adequate infrastructure. corruption left countries woefully society in the last decade unprepared to face the COVID-19 towards building stronger, Moving forward, some of pandemic. Hospitals and health more sustainable laws to the biggest challenges in the centres lacked the resources combat corruption and promote region, particularly during the and organisation necessary to transparency, the COVID-19 COVID-19 recovery, are issues respond effectively to the first crisis and resulting emergency of transparency and equitable wave of cases.66 Public hospitals measures essentially cancelled access to COVID-19 treatments were undersupplied and these efforts,69 setting the region and vaccines71. understaffed, with many health back by years. care providers becoming gravely

18 CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2020

COUNTRIES TO WATCH

Lebanon corruption investigations have adoption of a law to create started, nor have any public a National Anti-Corruption With a score of 25, Lebanon officials been put on trial. In Commission, this specialised significantly declined on the CPI, addition, the investigations of the body has yet to be established.75 dropping five points since 2012. August 2020 Beirut Port explosion COVID-19 nearly paralysed the are ongoing. While some senior However, there are causes for government. officials have been charged hope, including parliament’s in connection to the blast, recent adoption76 of a law to help Despite massive protests accountability remains limited.73 address issues of dirty ; against corruption and poverty72 a long-awaited bill to improve in October 2019, no major The courts still lack access to information,77 and the independence,74 notwithstanding recent adoption of the National new laws from Parliament to Anti-Corruption Strategy.78 strengthen the judiciary and These developments present address issues of asset recovery. opportunities to promote anti- Additionally, despite the recent corruption.

In Lebanon, the COVID-19 pandemic and Beirut blast present major challenges to the country’s anti-corruption efforts.

Photo: Hiba Al Kallas / Shutterstock.com

Morocco While the government took risks for mismanaged funds and exceptional measures in corruption. With a score of 40, Morocco response to the health drops one point on the CPI since emergency, particularly around There have also been numerous last year. During the COVID-19 public procurement, these violations of free speech and pandemic, the country imposed measures lacked oversight and press, including the arrest and a state of emergency79 that led to allowed for special exemptions imprisonment of journalists81 restriction of movement and the for which the government has who criticise public authorities, closure of national . not been held to account.80 These investigate cases of corruption, initiatives extend to areas beyond or highlight a lack of government health care and pose significant transparency.

In Morocco, corruption contributes to the poor health system and a lack of an effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photo: posztos / Shutterstock.com

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SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

With an average score of 32, Sub-Saharan Africa is the lowest performing region on the CPI, showing little improvement from previous years and underscoring a need for urgent action. TOP SCORERS

SEYCHELLES 66/100 49 BOTSWANA 60/100

COUNTRIES ASSESSED CABO VERDE 58/100 BOTTOM SCORERS BOTTOM

SUDAN 16/100 /100 32 SOUTH SUDAN 12/100

AVERAGE REGIONAL SOMALIA SCORE 12/100

With a score of 66, the Seychelles (24), about rising costs of living, risks derailing progress. With consistently earns top marks in corruption and the widespread a score of 19, the Republic of the region, followed by Botswana misuse of emergency funds. Congo significantly declined by (60) and Cabo Verde (58). At the In South Africa, an audit seven points since 2012. This bottom of the index are Sudan of COVID-19 expenditures performance is reflective of (16), Somalia (12) and South revealed overpricing, endemic corruption and impunity Sudan (12). and corruption.88 In Nigeria by the country’s political elite.92 (25), civil society organisations The Republic of Congo has an Across the region, the COVID-19 denounced reports of hoarding anti-corruption framework in pandemic highlights structural of COVID-19 palliatives89 by states place, but its implementation gaps82 in national health and called on anti-corruption remains weak.93 care systems, corruption institutions to investigate the risks associated with public allegations. Scoring 36 on the To reverse the region’s position procurement83 and the CPI, Côte d’Ivoire has significantly as the worst performing on the misappropriation of emergency improved, by nine points since CPI, governments in Sub-Saharan funds.84 The economic shock of 2013. However, the political crisis Africa must take decisive action, the pandemic led to protests surrounding the re-election of particularly in those economies and dissent in many countries, President Allasane Ouattara, already weakened by the ongoing including South Africa (44),85 which erupted into violence90 economic recession stemming Angola86 (27) and Zimbabwe87 and human rights violations,91 from COVID-19.

20 CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2020

COUNTRIES TO WATCH

Malawi A recent government audit connection with a cement import revealed95 public sector scandal. With a score of 30, Malawi is a corruption of astronomical significant decliner on the CPI, proportions, with an estimated In addition, the extradition of dropping seven points since 2012. US$1 billion allegedly stolen by a high-profile Malawian pastor the previous government.96 accused of in Notorious for the “cash-gate South Africa98 may be another scandal” of 2013,94 involving high A new government elected in test of the country’s commitment levels of public sector corruption June 2020 promises a fresh start, to anti-corruption. and misappropriation of funds, with several investigations into the country continues to grapple corruption already underway, with corruption. and some key arrests97 made in

Malawi has an opportunity to strengthen good governance and promote anti- corruption efforts to reverse the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy.

Photo: MsTingak / CC BY-SA 3.0

Zambia According to our 2019 report,99 Stronger commitment to nearly one in five Zambian procurement reforms and With a score of 33, Zambia is a citizens paid bribes100 to receive open civic spaces will support significant decliner on the CPI, services like health care or greater transparency and dropping five points since 2013. . accountability,102 but the upcoming general election will Corruption is endemic in Zambia The mounting levels of ultimately determine whether and affects people’s access corruption may be attributable corruption will be a priority in the to essential public services. to an inefficient national public coming years. procurement system,101 operating against a backdrop of rising foreign debt and high levels of poverty.

In Zambia, commitment to procurement reforms will support greater transparency and accountability.

Photo: Boris Mayer / Shutterstock.com

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WESTERN EUROPE & EUROPEAN UNION

With an average score of 66, Western Europe and the European Union (EU) is the highest performing region on the CPI, but under enormous strain due to COVID-19. TOP SCORERS

DENMARK 88/100 31 FINLAND 85/100

COUNTRIES ASSESSED SWEDEN 85/100 BOTTOM SCORERS BOTTOM

HUNGARY 44/100 /100 66 ROMANIA 44/100

AVERAGE REGIONAL BULGARIA SCORE 44/100

Western Europe and the EU score response, and in many cases, The COVID-19 pandemic exposed among the highest countries on countries have fallen short of full serious issues related to the rule the CPI, with Denmark (88) hitting transparency and accountability. of law across the region, with the top spot, followed by Finland In Norway (84), the government corruption further weakening (85), Sweden (85) and Switzerland declared a state of emergency .107 (85). Conversely, the lowest that challenged constitutional performers from the region are regulations.104 Although an ambitious EU Romania (44), Hungary (44) and stimulus package108 could be Bulgaria (44). Following constitutional instrumental to member states’ states of emergency in France COVID-19 response, such Across the region, the COVID-19 (69), Hungary (44), Italy (53) an initiative is saddled with pandemic has put additional and Spain (62), Democracy numerous large procurement and unexpected pressure on Reporting International called processes, subject to strict the integrity systems of many out governments for significant deadlines and vulnerable to countries, making it “a political human rights restrictions.105 potential corruption and integrity crisis that threatens the future In addition, due to COVID-19, challenges. of ”.103The elections have been delayed in at pandemic has tested the least 11 EU countries.106 limits of Europe’s emergency

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COUNTRIES TO WATCH

Malta been unveiled and have raised The PM’s former chief of staff was a strong public demand for arrested in September 2020111 With a score of 53, Malta is a a significantly strengthened for an alleged scheme significant decliner on the CPI, capacity to tackle corruption and to help three obtain dropping seven points since 2015 wider rule of law reforms”. Maltese passports as part of the and hitting a new all-time low. controversial golden passports112 In 2019, a public inquiry110 into programme in 2015. According to an EU report109 the of journalist Daphne about the rule of law in Malta, Caruana Galizia highlighted In addition, a European Central “deep corruption patterns have high-level corruption and led to report found major failings the resignation of Prime Minister in Malta’s biggest bank,113 . potentially allowing for money laundering and other criminal activities.

Malta faces significant corruption challenges and suffers one of the steepest declines in the rule of law.

Photo: Thomas Ellmenreich / Unsplash

Poland erosion of the rule of law and who broke the law in connection democratic oversight has created with the COVID-19 pandemic, With a score of 56, Poland conditions for corruption to and the heavy-handed police declines significantly on the CPI, flourish at the highest levels of crackdown on peaceful women’s dropping seven points since 2015. power. rights protestors119 increased tensions in the country and The country’s ruling party During COVID-19, the national revealed the ruling party’s has consistently promoted amended and intentions to further solidify its reforms that weakened judicial repealed hundreds of laws, power, despite growing public independence.114 The steady using the crisis as cover to push discontent. through dangerous legislation.115 Parliament also limited access With their recent pushback to information for citizens and against the EU120 for making the journalists116 and allowed for rule of law a condition121 for EU opaque public spending related funds, Polish political leaders put to COVID-19.117 An to democracy and anti-corruption secure impunity118 for officials reforms at risk.

In Poland, government leaders exploit the COVID-19 crisis for political gain, undermining democracy, human rights and anti- corruption efforts.

Photo: Lena Ivanova / Shutterstock.com

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METHODOLOGY

The CPI aggregates data from + Considers only the 3. Calculate the average. For a a number of different sources assessments of country country or territory to be included that provide perceptions among experts or businesspeople in the CPI, a minimum of three business-people and country sources must assess that country. experts of the level of corruption + Is regularly updated. A country’s CPI score is then in the public sector. The following calculated as the average of all steps are taken to calculate the The CPI 2020 is calculated using standardised scores available for CPI: 13 different data sources from 12 that country. Scores are rounded different institutions that capture to whole numbers. 1. Select data sources. Each perceptions of corruption within data source used to construct the past two years. 4. Report the measure of the CPI must fulfil the following uncertainty. The CPI score is criteria to qualify as a valid 2. Standardise data sources accompanied by a standard error source: to a scale of 0-100. This and confidence interval. This standardisation is done by captures the variation across + Quantifies risks or subtracting the mean of each the data sources available for a perceptions of corruption in source in the baseline year from country or territory. the public sector each country score, then dividing by the of that + Is based on a reliable and source in the baseline year. This valid methodology subtraction and division using the baseline year parameters + Comes from a reputable ensures that the CPI scores are organisation comparable year on year since 2012. After this procedure, + Allows for sufficient variation the standardised scores are of scores to distinguish transformed to the CPI scale by between countries multiplying them with the value of the CPI standard deviation in + Ranks a substantial number 2012 (20) and adding the mean of countries of the CPI in 2012 (45), so that the dataset fits the CPI’s 0-100 scale.

24 CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2020

ENDNOTES

1 John Hopkins University of Medicine, 7 D.C. Cuadrado, 2020 14 “Pandemic Violations of Democratic Coronavirus Resources Centre Global Map Standards Index”, Varieties of of COVID-19 Cases, www.coronavirus.jhu. 8 “Tackling the crisis of democracy, Democracy (V-DEM) 2020, https://www.v- edu/map.html promoting rule of law and fighting dem.net/en/our-work/research-projects/ corruption”, Transparency International, pandemic-backsliding/ 2 “Citizens report COVID-19 29 January 2019, www.transparency.org/ corruption”, Transparency en/news/tackling-crisis-of-democracy- 15 “Trump administration is blocking International, September 2020, promoting-rule-of-law-and-fighting- COVID stimulus oversight: government www.transparency.org/en/ corruption. watchdog letter“ Reuters, 15 June citizens-report-covid-19-corruption 2020, www.reuters.com/article/us- 9 “Medical exodus leaves Romania, health-coronavirus-usa-stimulus/ 3 D. C. Cuadrado, The Ignored Pandemic Bulgaria in pain,“ Deutsche Welle, 2 trump-administration-is-blocking- Behind COVID-19 (London: Transparency July 2018, www.dw.com/en/medical- covid-stimulus-oversight-government- International – Health, 2020) http://ti- exodus-leaves-romania-bulgaria-in- watchdog-letter-idUSKBN23M2XD health.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/ pain/a-44487178. The-Ignored-Pandemic-Behind-COVID- 16 ”Philippines: curfew violators 19-the-impact-of-corruption-on- 10 “Uruguay wages successful fight abused”, , March 26 healthcare.pdf against COVID-19,” Deutsche Welle, 22 2020, www.hrw.org/news/2020/03/26/ August 2020, www.dw.com/en/uruguay- philippines-curfew-violators-abused. 4 “Corruption and the Coronavirus”, wages-successful-fight-against-covid- Transparency International, 18 March 19/a-54659839 17 ”Press freedom further restricted 2020, www.transparency.org/en/news/ amid COVID-19 pandemic,” Philippine corruption-and-the-coronavirus 11 A case for building a stronger health Centre for Investigative , 4 care system in Bangladesh,” World May 2020, www.pcij.org/article/4009/ 5 Transparency International, Bank Blogs, 26 July 2020, www.blogs. state-of-media-freedom-in-ph-2 Global Corruption Barometer, www. worldbank.org/endpovertyinsouthasia/ transparency.org/en/gcb. case-building-stronger-health-care- 18 “New Zealand’s COVID-19 system-bangladesh strategy looks successful, but we must 6 M. Chêne et al., Getting Ahead of the safeguard democracy,” , Curve: Exploring Post-COVID-19 Trends 12 “Corruption mars Bangladesh’s 15 April 2020, www.theguardian.com/ and their Impact on Anti-Corruption, Covid-19 relief efforts”, UCA News, 13 commentisfree/2020/apr/16/new- Governance and Development (Berlin: April 2020, https://www.ucanews.com/ zealands-fight-against-covid-19-looks- Transparency International, 2020), www. news/corruption-mars-bangladeshs- successful-but-democracy-is-under- transparency.org/en/publications/ covid-19-relief-efforts/87700 threat getting-ahead-of-the-curve-exploring- post-covid-19-trends-and-their-impact- 13 The ’s World 19 “Anti-corruption response to on-anti-corruption-governance-and- Development Indicators COVID-19 must include women”, UN development%20 Women: Americas and the Caribbean, 10

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June 2020, www.lac.unwomen.org/en/ de partidos es un avance respecto a 35 ”Honduras’ New Criminal Code Will noticias-y-eventos/articulos/2020/06/ legislación vigente”, Agencia Peruana Help Impunity Prosper”, InSight , 29 respuesta-anticorrupcion-a-la-covid- de Noticias, 20 September 2020, www. June 2020, www.insightcrime.org/news/ debe-ser-transparente andina.pe/agencia/noticia-proetica-ley- analysis/honduras-new-criminal-code/ financiamiento-partidos-es-un-avance- 20 Ministerio de Gobernación, respecto-a-legislacion-vigente-814516. 36 ”Las maniobras de corrupción en Compilación de Decretos de Emergencia aspx Honduras- Parte II- Nuevo Código Penal”, por COVID-19, (El Salvador: Ministerio de El Pulso, 27 June 2020, https://elpulso. Gobernación, 2020). 28 ”Destitución de Vizcarra: Perú hn/?p=45155 y la crisis permanente”, Deutsche 21 ”Pronunciamiento de Welle, 11 November 2020, www. 37 ”Lack of planning in Honduras organizaciones de la sociedad civil sobre dw.com/es/destituci%C3%B3n-de- COVID-19 purchases risks millions in acciones impulsadas en la emergencia vizcarra-per%C3%BA-y-la-crisis- public funds”, Transparency International, del COVID-19,” Acción Ciudadana, 11 permanente/a-55568245 9 July 2020, www.transparency.org/en/ May 2020, www.accion-ciudadana. blog/lack-of-planning-in-honduras-covid- org/comunicados-pronunciamiento- 29 ”8 former presidents of Peru 19-purchases-risks-millions-in-public- de-organizaciones-de-la-sociedad- singled out for corruption”, Expansión, funds civil-sobre-acciones-impulsadas-en-la- 15 November 2020, www.expansion.mx/ emergencia-del-covid-19/ mundo/2020/11/15/8-ex-presidentes- 38 ”Mr. HispanoPreneur™: The peru-acusados-corrupcion Man Behind Honduras’ $47-Million 22 ”Alarm over concentration of Coronavirus Disaster”, power in the Presidency in Colombia”, 30 ”Fight against corruption, citizens’ and Corruption Reporting Project, 16 Transparency International, 3 September rights must be protected during political October 2020, www.occrp.org/en/ 2020, www.transparency.org/en/press/ crisis in Peru”, Transparency International, coronavirus/mr-hispanopreneurtm-the- alarm-over-concentration-of-power-in- 13 November 2020, www.transparency. man-behind-honduras-47-million-dollar- the-presidency-in-colombia org/en/press/fight-against-corruption- coronavirus-disaster citizens-rights-must-be-protected- 23 FUNDE, Ataques a la Prensa during-political-crisis-in-peru 39 “Five ways the Pacific can recover Independiente y a la Sociedad Civil, with integrity in 2021”, Transparency www.repo.funde.org/1704/1/CC-C-AT- 31 ”Corruption, weak institutions International, 9 December 2020, www. AUT-20-10-20.pdf and natural disasters: is there hope transparency.org/en/blog/five-ways-the- for Honduras to rebuild?”, Univision, 16 pacific-region-can-recover-with-integrity- 24 ”La oscura mina de oro en la que December 2020, www.univision.com/ in-2021 se convirtió la compra de equipos por univision-news/opinion/corruption- la pandemia en Latinoamérica”, France weak-institutions-natural-disasters-can- 40 “Past scandals haunt Papua 24, 8 May 2020, www.france24.com/ honduras-rebuild New Guinea‘s coronavirus response“, es/20200508-corrupcion-insumos- Transparency International, 29 May 2020, m%C3%A9dicos-covid19-pandemia 32 World Bank, ”Honduras” in www.transparency.org/en/blog/past- Knowledge Portal, www. scandals-haunt-papua-new-guineas- 25 ”The UN warns that the covid-19 climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/ coronavirus-response could leave 45 million new poor in country/honduras Latin America and the Caribbean”, CNN 41 ”Transparency Solomons calls on Español, 10 July 2020, www.cnnespanol. 33 ”Honduras’ opposition needs govt to audit economic stimulus funds”, cnn.com/2020/07/10/la-onu-advierte- to learn from its mistakes”, Global Radio New Zealand, 7 November 2020, que-el-covid-19-podria-dejar-45- Americans, 4 June 2020, www. https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/ millones-nuevos-pobres-en-america- theglobalamericans.org/2020/06/ pacific-news/430071/transparency- latina-y-el-caribe/ honduras-opposition-needs-to-learn- solomons-calls-on-govt-to-audit- from-its-mistakes/ economic-stimulus-funds 26 “What is Peru’s president doing to fight corruption?”, Latin 34 ”Statement on the end of MACCIH’s 42 , “Vanuatu“ in America Reports, 30 July 2019, mandate in Honduras”, Transparency Freedom in the World 2019, www. https://latinamericareports.com/ International, 21 January 2020, www. freedomhouse.org/country/vanuatu/ vizcarra-fight-corruption-peru/2823/ transparency.org/en/press/statement- freedom-world/2019 on-the-end-of-maccihs-mandate-in- 27 ”Proética: ley de financiamiento honduras 43 ”Vanuatu Parliament dissolves

26 CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2020

ahead of election”, Radio New Zealand, and Central Asia together“, Open Harsh Weekend Curfews”, Balkan Insight, 22 January 2020, www.rnz.co.nz/ Contracting , 16 June 2020, April 10 2020, https://balkaninsight. international/pacific-news/407852/ www.open-contracting.org/2020/06/16/ com/2020/04/10/serbia-north- vanuatu-parliament-dissolves-ahead-of- finding-collaborative-solutions- macedonia-impose-harsh-weekend- election in-a-crisis-how-covid-19-brought- curfews/ procurement-actors-in-eastern-europe- 44 Government of Vanuatu, “Republic and-central-asia-together/ 59 “Serbia: Journalist Ana Lalic arrested of Vanuatu” in Voluntary national review for reporting on inadequate hospital on the implemenation of the 2030 agenda 52 Tracking the trillions: 6-month facilities for coronavirus“, Article 19, 2 for sustainable development, https:// checkup on IMF‘s COVID-19 emergency April 2020, www.article19.org/resources/ sustainabledevelopment.un.org/ aid“, Transparency International, 28 serbia-journalist-ana-lalic-arrested- content/documents/23336Republic_of_ September 2020, www.transparency. for-reporting-on-inadequate-hospital- Vanuatu_VNR_2019.pdf org/en/blog/tracking-the-trillions-6- facilities-for-coronavirus/ month-checkup-on-imfs-covid-19- 45 Freedom House, “Vanuatu“ in emergency-aid 60 “Government says only Crisis Freedom in the World 2019, www. Staff can issue information about freedomhouse.org/country/vanuatu/ 53 Transparency International, coronavirus”, N1, 1 April 2020, https:// freedom-world/2019 COVID-19: Documented Corruption rs.n1info.com/english/news/a584240- and Malfeasance Cases (Berlin: serbian-government-says-only-its-crisis- 46 M. Bak, Overview of corruption and Transparency International, 2020), staff-can-issue-information-about- anti- (Berlin: images.transparencycdn.org/images/ coronavirus-pandemic/ Transparency International, 2019), COVID-19-Documented-corruption-and- https://knowledgehub.transparency.org/ malfeasance-cases.pdf 61 “For Criticising Serbia’s COVID-19 helpdesk/overview-of-corruption-and-anti- Response, Doctors Come under Fire“, corruption-in-myanmar-1 54 “Tackling the crisis of democracy, Balkan Insight,14 October 2020, https:// promoting rule of law and fighting balkaninsight.com/2020/10/14/for- 47 “Global Corruption Barometer corruption”, Transparency International, criticising-serbias-covid-19-response- — Asia”, Transparency International, 29 January 2019, www.transparency.org/ doctors-come-under-fire/ November 2020, www.transparency.org/ en/news/tackling-crisis-of-democracy- en/gcb/asia/asia-2020 promoting-rule-of-law-and-fighting- 62 W. Benedek, OSCE Rapporteur’s corruption Report under the Moscow Mechanism on 48 J. Schoeberlein, Corruption in Alleged Human Rights Violations related ASEAN: Regional Trends from the 55 “Digging deeper into corruption, to the Presidential Elections of 9 August 2020 Global Corruption Barometer violence against journalists and active 2020 in Belarus (Warsaw: Organization and Country Spotlights (Berlin: civil society“, Transparency International, for Security and Co-operation in Europe Transparency International, 2020), 21 February 2018, www.transparency. Office for Democratic Institutions and https://knowledgehub.transparency.org/ org/en/news/digging-deeper-into- Human Rights, 2020), https://www.osce. helpdesk/corruption-in-asean-regional- corruption-violence-against-journalists org/files/f/documents/2/b/469539.pdf trends-from-the-2020-global-corruption- barometer-and-country-spotlights 56 ”TI BIH filed criminal charges 63 ”Grand corruption”, Transparency against the Public Health Institute of International, www.transparency.org/en/ 49 J. Schoeberlein, 2020 the Republic of Srpska”, Transparency corruptionary/grand-corruption International Bosnia and Herzegovina, 30 50 “Eastern Europe and Central May 2020, https://ti-bih.org/tibih-podnio- 64 M. Bak, Overview of corruption and Asia: Governments must stop abusing krivicnu-prijavu-zbog-nabavki-instituta- anticorruption in Armenia, Azerbaijan, emergency powers during COVID-19 za-javno-zdravstvo-rs/?lang=en Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine pandemic”, UK, 29 (Berlin: Transparency International, April 2020, www.amnesty.org.uk/press- 57 ”Gojković: Sednica Skupštine nije 2020), https://knowledgehub. releases/eastern-europe-and-central- moguća zbog zabrane skupova više od transparency.org/helpdesk/overview- asia-governments-must-stop-abusing- 50 ljudi”, N1, 23 March 2020, https:// of-corruption-and-anti-corruption-in- emergency-powers rs.n1info.com/vesti/a581068-gojkovic- armenia-azerbaijan-belarus-georgia- sednica-skupstine-nije-moguca-zbog- moldova-and-ukraine 51 “Finding collaborative solutions zabrane-skupova-vise-od-50-ljudi/ in a crisis: How Covid-19 brought 65 ”GRECO publicly declares procurement actors in Eastern Europe 58 ”Serbia, North Macedonia Impose Belarus non-compliant with the CoE

27 TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL

anti-corruption standards”, Group of 74 ”Lebanon: the ICJ calls for +Eya+Jrad.pdf/122aaa7e-0608- States against Corruption - Council of extensive reforms to strengthen judicial ad15-abc7-4f09cfff689e?version=1.0 Europe, 19 March 2019, www.coe.int/en/ independence and accountability”, &t=1600704327172 web/portal/-/council-of-europe-s-anti- International Commission of Jurists, 28 corruption-body-greco-publicly-declares- February 2017, www.icj.org/lebanon- 81 ”Journalist Omar Radi arrested, the-country-non-compliant-with-the-coe- the-icj-calls-for-extensive-reforms-to- charged in Morocco”, Committee to anti-corruption-standards strengthen-judicial-independence-and- Protect Journalists, 29 July 2020, https:// accountability/ cpj.org/2020/07/journalist-omar-radi- 66 Organisation for Economic arrested-charged-in-morocco/ Co-operation and Development, 75 “New laws, same old practices? COVID-19 crisis response in MENA Lebanon passes anti-corruption laws, 82 “African nations ‘far from ready’ countries (OECD, 2020), https://read. but questions persist over their efficacy”, for COVID-19 vaccination drive, says -ilibrary.org/view/?ref=129_129919- The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy, UN health agency”, UN News, 27 4li7bq8asv&title=COVID-19-Crisis- 7 January 2020, https://timep.org/ November 2020, https://news.un.org/ Response-in-MENA-Countries explainers/new-laws-same-old-practices- en/story/2020/11/1078642 lebanon-passes-anti-corruption-laws- 67 Organisation for Economic Co- but-questions-persist-over-their-efficacy/ 83 “Corruption risks in Southern operation and Development, 2020 Africa’s response to the coronavirus”, 76 ”Lebanon’s New Law on Illicit Transparency International, 13 May 68 Organisation for Economic Co- Enrichment: A Step Forward in Fighting 2020, www.transparency.org/en/news/ operation and Development, 2020 Corruption?”, The Tahrir Institute for corruption-risks-in--response-to- Middle East Policy, 11 March 2020, the-coronavirus 69 Organisation for Economic Co- https://timep.org/commentary/analysis/ operation and Development, 2020 lebanons-new-law-on-illicit-enrichment- 84 Transparency International, a-step-forward-in-fighting-corruption/ COVID-19: Documented Corruption 70 “The Price of : and Malfeasance Cases (Berlin: Kadhimi Faces the Challenge of 77 United Nations Development Transparency International, 2020), Systemic Reform”, The Washington Programme and Republic of Lebanon, images.transparencycdn.org/images/ Institute, 10 November 2020, www. National Action Plan to Implement COVID-19-Documented-corruption-and- washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/ the Right to Access to Information Law malfeasance-cases.pdf price-corruption-iraq-kadhimi-faces- (2020), https://www.lb.undp.org/ challenge-systemic-reform content/lebanon/en/home/library/ 85 “South African Unions Strike to democratic_governance/national-action- Graft, Job Losses“, Bloomberg, 7 71 Human Rights Watch, ”Whoever plan-to-implement-the-right-to-access- October 2020, www.bloomberg.com/ Finds the Vaccine Must Share It”: to-informa.html news/articles/2020-10-07/south-african- Strengthening Human Rights and unions-down-tools-in-protest-at-graft- Transparency Around Covid-19 78 Republic of Lebanon, The national job-losses Vaccines (HRW, 2020), www.hrw.org/ anti-corruption strategy 2020-2025 report/2020/10/29/whoever-finds- (2020), www.undp-aciac.org/resources/ 86 “Angola: Protest in Luanda against vaccine-must-share-it/strengthening- National%20Anti-Corruption%20 corruption”, Africa News, 26 October human-rights-and-transparency Strategy%20English.pdf 2020, www.africanews.com/2020/10/26/ angola-protest-in-luanda-against- 72 ”Lebanon’s mass revolt against 79 ”Morocco: Stepping Up to the corruption/ corruption and poverty continues”, COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak”, The Guardian, 20 October 2019, The World Bank, 16 June 2020, 87 “Zimbabwean government lashes www.theguardian.com/world/2019/ www.worldbank.org/en/news/ out at anti-corruption protesters with an oct/20/lebanons-mass-revolt-against- feature/2020/06/16/morocco-stepping- iron fist“, Daily Maverick, 2 August 2020, corruption-and-poverty-continues up-to-the-covid-19-pandemic-outbreak www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020- 08-02-zimbabwean-government-lashes- 73 ”Lebanon’s caretaker PM and ex- 80 E. Jrad, The Fight Against Covid-19 out-at-anti-corruption-protesters-with- ministers charged over Beirut blast”, in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia: Courses an-an-iron-fist/ The Guardian, 10 December 2020, www. of Action, Paths for Reflection (Berlin: theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/10/ Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, 2020), www. 88 ”In South Africa, COVID-19 has lebanons-caretaker-prime-minister-and- kas.de/documents/282499/282548/ exposed greed and spurred long-needed ex-ministers-charged-over-beirut-blast Covid19+Response+in+the+Maghreb+- action against corruption”, Transparency

28 CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2020

International, 4 September 2020, www. on corruption”, Anadolu Agency, 14 stress test continued (Berlin: Democracy transparency.org/en/blog/in-south- July 2020, www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/ Reporting International, 2020), https:// africa-covid-19-has-exposed-greed-and- malawis-new-govt-cracks-down-on- democracy-reporting.org/wp-content/ spurred-long-needed-action-against- corruption/1910008 uploads/2020/07/Rule-of-Law-Stress- corruption Test-Continued-Layout_JJ_JP.pdf 98 ”Malawi signs extradition papers 89 ”Investigate hoarding of COVID-19 for self-proclaimed prophet”, Al Jazeera, 106 “Global Impact of COVID-19 on palliatives by states, SERAP urges ICPC”, 15 December 2020, www.aljazeera. Elections“, Election Guide, 23 November Healthwise, 25 October 2020, https:// com/news/2020/12/15/malawi-signs- 2020, www.electionguide.org/digest/ healthwise.punchng.com/investigate- extradition-papers-for-self-proclaimed- post/17591/ hoarding-of-covid-19-palliatives-by- prophet states-serap-urges-icpc/ 107 “Tackling the crisis of democracy, 99 ”Global Corruption Barometer promoting rule of law and fighting 90 “ election: Alassane - Africa”, Transparency International, corruption”, Transparency International, Ouattara wins amid “, BBC News, July 2019, www.transparency.org/en/ 29 January 2019, www.transparency.org/ 3 November 2020, www.bbc.com/news/ publications/gcb-africa-2019 en/news/tackling-crisis-of-democracy- world-africa-54778200 promoting-rule-of-law-and-fighting- 100 Zambia in ”Global Corruption corruption 91 “His rivals have been arrested or Barometer - Africa”, Transparency exiled, but Ivorian President insists: International, July 2019, www. 108 , ‘They’re not democrats’”, CNN, 15 transparency.org/en/gcb/africa/ Recovery plan for Europe (Brussels: December 2020, https://edition.cnn. africa-2019/results/zmb European Commission, 2020), com/2020/12/14/africa/ivory-coast- https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/ president-ouattara-intl/index.html 101 “Assessment of the Public recovery-plan-europe_en#documents Procurement System of Zambia“, 92 “The Cycle of : a World Bank Blogs, 12 March 2020, 109 European Union, 2020 Rule of Law Congolese State Affair Part III“, http://pubdocs.worldbank.org/ Report Country Chapter on the rule of law , 9 July 2020, https:// en/155311584023270547/MAPS- situation in Malta (Brussels: European www.globalwitness.org/en/ ZAMBIA-FINAL.pdf Union, 2020), https://eur-lex.europa.eu/ campaigns/oil-gas-and-mining/ legal-content/EN/TXT/? congolese-kleptocracy/ 102 “Improving Public Procurement qid=1602583018021& in Zambia and How to Get there uri=CELEX%3A52020SC0317 93 Risk and Compliance Portal, ” with MAPS“, World Bank Blogs, 12 ” in Country March 2020, https://blogs.worldbank. 110 Profile (GAN Integrity, 2020), https:// org/governance/improving-public- Foundation, Public inquiry, www.daphne. www.ganintegrity.com/portal/ procurement-zambia-and-how-get- foundation/en/justice/public-inquiry country-profiles/republic-of-the-congo/ there-maps 111 “Ex-chief of staff to former Maltese 94 ”’Cashgate’ - Malawi’s murky tale 103 “A Call to Defend Democracy”, PM arrested in corruption probe“, of shooting and corruption”, BBC News, International Institute for Democracy Politico EU, 22 September 2020, www. 27 January 2014, www.bbc.com/news/ and Electoral Assistance, 25 politico.eu/article/malta-keith-schembri- world-africa-25912652 June 2020, www.idea.int/news- arrested-panama-papers-scandal- media/multimedia-reports/ daphne-caruana-galizia-murder/ 95 ”’Cashgate’ - Malawi’s murky tale call-defend-democracy of shooting and corruption”, BBC News, 112 “Golden passports: infringement 27 January 2014, www.bbc.com/news/ 104 “Fighting the Virus and the Rule procedures against Cyprus and world-africa-25912652 of Law – A Country Report on Norway“, Malta the right move”, Transparency Verfassungsblog, 13 April 2020, https:// International, 20 October 2020, www. 96 “Malawi President Vows to Close in verfassungsblog.de/fighting-the-virus- transparency.org/en/press/golden- on Corrupt Officials“, Voice of America, and-the-rule-of-law-a-country-report-on- passports-infringement-procedures- 26 July 2020, www.voanews.com/africa/ norway/ against-cyprus-and-malta-the-right- malawi-president-vows-close-corrupt- move officials 105 T. Fournier and M. Meyer- Resende, Phase two of COVID-19 113 “Exclusive: ECB flags failings in 97 ”Malawi’s new gov’t cracks down responses across the EU – the rule of law dirty-money screening at Malta’s top

29 TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL

bank“, Reuters, 20 November 2019, www. 121 “Parliament approves the reuters.com/article/us-malta-bank-of- “rule of law conditionality” for valletta-ecb-exclusive-idUSKBN1XU28A access to EU funds“, European Parliament, 16 December 2020, www. 114 ”Polish judiciary changes are europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press- a ‘destruction’: EU commissioner”, room/20201211IPR93622/parliament- Reuters, 8 February 2020, approves-the-rule-of-law-conditionality- www.reuters.com/article/ for-access-to-eu-funds us-poland-eu-judges-idUSKBN2020H3

115 ”Poland’s anti-abortion push highlights pandemic risks to democracy”, The Conversation, 25 November 2020, https://theconversation.com/polands- anti-abortion-push-highlights-pandemic- risks-to-democracy-150520

116 “Poland’s government blocks access to public information: daily“, Warsaw Business Journal, 16 April 2020, https://wbj.pl/ polands-government-blocks- access-to-public-information-daily/ post/126760

117 M. Kania, Public procurement and COVID-19 in Poland (Katowice: University of Silesia in Katowice, 2020), https:// publicprocurementinternational.com/ wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Public- Procurement-and-COVID-19-in-Poland.- Michal-Kania.-31-March-2020.docx

118 ”Condemnation of proposed impunity for politicians and officials in Poland”, Transparency International, 29 September 2020, www.transparency. org/en/press/condemnation-of- proposed-impunity-for-politicians-and- officials-in-poland

119 ”Police using ‘excessive violence’ against peaceful protesters in Poland amid abortion row”, News, 25 November 2020, www.euronews. com/2020/11/24/police-using-excessive- violence-against-peaceful-protesters-in- poland

120 Hungary and Poland escalate budget fight over rule of law”, Politico EU, 26 November 2020, www.politico. eu/article/poland-hungary-budget- democracy-rule-law-orban-morawiecki- merkel/

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