Georgia Leads Eastern Europe & Central Asia in Fighting Corruption
This year’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), released by Transparency International (TI), reads that Georgia leads Eastern Europe and Central Asia countries with its score of 58, above Montenegro (45) and Belarus (44).
At the very bottom, Turkmenistan earns the lowest score in the region (20), with Uzbekistan (23) and Tajikistan (25) earning only slightly more.
The report reads that given its average score of 35, Eastern Europe and Central Asia is the second lowest scoring region in the index, ahead of Sub-Saharan Africa which has an average score of 32.
The level of perceived corruption is the lowest in Denmark (88 points) and the highest in Somalia (10 points).
Georgia has advanced its score by two points since last year, taking 41st place among 180 countries.
However, the CPI 2018 reads that the country now faces “democratic backsliding, making it both vulnerable to high-level corruption” and is “a country to watch moving forward.”
“This downturn is due to a lack of accountability of law enforcement, corruption and political interference in the judiciary and government-sponsored attacks on independent civil society, among other issues,” the report reads.
TI added that despite an urgent need to investigate cases of corruption and misconduct in the government, Georgia has failed to establish independent agencies to take on this mandate.
The watchdog claims that impunity contributes to public distrust towards state agencies in Georgia.
“Progress in anti-corruption will continue to stall and reverse if the Georgian government does not take immediate steps to ensure the independence of institutions, including the judiciary, and support civil society, which enhances political engagement and public oversight,” the report reads.
In the ranking, 100 points indicate the lowest level of perceived corruption while 0 – the highest.
Georgia’s CPI scores during the recent years are: 2012 – 52 points, 2013 – 49, 2014 and 2015-52, in 2016 Georgia was placed 44th with a score of 57 and in 2017 – 56 points and 46th place.
However, according to the survey’s methodology, a two-point change is considered statistically insignificant. Notably, Georgia does not appear on the list of the countries whose CPI score has changed significantly, either for better or for worse, since 2012.
Also, the survey does not reflect the alleged cases of high-level corruption publicized in late 2018 which could have a negative impact on Georgia’s position in the ranking in the future.
The document urges the Georgian government to take immediate steps to ensure the independence of institutions, including the judiciary, and support of civil society.
The index is prepared based on research conducted by reputable international organizations, each containing an assessment of the situation prevailing in various countries with regard to corruption.
By Thea Morrison
Image source: TI Georgia