Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Jakarta (Agenzia Fides) – Corruption, on all levels of society, is an extremely wide-spread evil on the Asian continent and forms the root and primary cause of the poverty in which millions of people live. Effectively fighting it is the main path to development. This was what was affirmed in the UN Report recently presented in Jakarta (Indonesia), that touches on a sore point that affects many Asian nations and that constitutes one of the “worst evils” in modern society.
The report, which is entitled, “Tackling corruption, transforming lives,” was drafted by the United Nations Human Development Program and examines the various manners in which corruption, abuse of office, embezzlement in the public administrations of eastern Asian and Pacific nations prevent the poor and destitute from receiving the essential services they need in order to live and for their economic and social development.
“Uprooting corruption will not just improve governance and economic efficiency; it will also help reduce poverty and promote human development,” the Report says. “In this light, anti-corruption measures are not just about prevention or punishment. They are also about establishing a more honest, prosperous, and developed society.”
According to a study included in the text, the people with the worst reputation, as far as corruption is concerned, are the politicians, policemen, judges, and taxes officials. Over 20% of the public questioned, from various Asian countries, said that they has been victims of fraud. According to an evaluation done by the Report, the bribes received by public officials in the most underdeveloped countries of Asia averaged between 20-40 billion dollars per year.
“Petty corruption is a misnomer. Dollar amounts may be relatively small, but the demands are incessant, the number of people affected is enormous,” said Anuradha Rajivan, the team leader for the Report.
The Report proposes a plan of action that the government should adopt in order to fight and prevent “pervasive corruption,” suggesting: “judicial persecution for criminals and not letting crimes go unpunished; establishing a merit-based civil service; raising civil servant salaries; and enhancing press freedom and international cooperation.
Corruption has always been indicated by the Church as a “plague.” Various studies, reports, and messages along these lines have been issued by the FABC (Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences) and by the other Churches in the country. One of the most outspoken groups on the evils of corruption is the Church in the Philippines. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/6/2008)
