Jordan marks International Anti-Corruption Day

AMMAN — On the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day, Chairman of the Jordan Integrity and Anti-Corruption Commission (JIACC) Muhannad Hijazi said that Jordan has a serious political will and sincere commitment to combating corruption and disseminating the values of integrity.

Hijazi’s remarks came during a ceremony organised by the JIACC on Thursday, in celebration of International Anti-Corruption Day, which is observed annually on December 9.

During the ceremony, Hijazi emphasised that the ongoing pandemic has significantly contributed to hindering national and international anti-corruption efforts, adding that, “Fighting corruption and reforming society are a shared responsibility”.

This year, Jordan ranked first regionally and 57th globally in anti-corruption efforts on the Global Corruption Index (GCI), according to Hijazi. 

He added that during the past three years and despite the exceptional circumstances for Jordan, the JIACC has focused on three main themes: Promoting integrity and prevention, enforcing law and building JIACC’s institutional capacity.

Hijazi pointed out that over the past few months, the percentage of convictions and criminalisation for corruption has increased from 41 per cent in 2020 to 45.2 per cent this year. 

The JIACC through its Investigation Department and Operations Unit has dealt with 2,164 grievance and investigative files, he said.

The 2021 International Anti-Corruption Day, with its theme titled “Your right, your role: Say no to corruption”, seeks to call attention to the rights and responsibilities of all actors in addressing corruption.

“Corruption affects all areas of society,” according to the UN, which wrote on its website that: “Preventing corruption unlocks progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, helps protect our planet, creates jobs, achieves gender equality, and secures wider access to essential services such as healthcare and education”.

According to the UN definition, corruption is a complex social, political and economic phenomenon that impacts all countries and reversely affects governmental stability.

The UN General Assembly designated December 9 as International Anti-Corruption Day, to raise awareness of corruption and of the role of the UN Convention against Corruption which entered into force in December 2005.