KABUL (Pajhwok): Participants of a gathering marking the International Anti-Corruption Day in Kabul on Monday said the government’s fight against corruption has both success and failure.
Addressing the gathering, Second Vice President Sarwar Danish said instead of formal meetings on performances, it would be better to examine the current situation properly in a just manner and device a strategy to eradicate corruption.
“The fight against corruption is not something brought from the west but it is a religious obligation and during the time of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) questioning one’s property and assets was a recognized rule. Everyone was asked about his/her property and income sources and we should not forgive our religious teachings.”
He said the freedom of expression, approval of the access to information law, approval of anti-corruption law, national anti-corruption strategy, creation of special court for serious corruption cases, inception of High Audit Office, the inception of Rule of Law Council, the creation of anti-corruption cell at the Attorney General Office (AGO) and creation of legal framework in fight against corruption were some of the National Unity Government’s achievements in the past five years in its fight against corruption.
Danish acknowledged the government had still not achieved its goals and thanked the international community for its support in the fight against corruption.
The VP said there was need for continued international cooperation to fully eradicate corruption in Afghanistan.
Syed Akram Afzali, head of the Integrity Watch Afghanistan, said: “Billions of dollars in assistance were given to Afghanistan in the past 18 years with the US alone giving $135 billion but poverty is on the rise, economic growth on the decline and security situation deteriorating.”
He said the smuggling of drugs was also on the increase and Afghanistan’s stability faced huge danger due to corruption.
He acknowledged the National Unity Government took some steps to control corruption but failed to eradicate it and laws were only limited to paper.
He termed the role of independent civil society organisations as vital in eradication of corruption and said: “Civil Society Organisations are one of the main pillars of democracy and if independent civil society could investigate the causes of corruption with neutrality and presents solutions, this will be a great help to eradicate corruption from the country.”
Pierre Mayaudon, European Union Ambassador in Kabul, said: “If there is no commitment to eliminating corruption in a society, this illicit phenomenon destroys everything. Insecurity will increase, economic situation will deteriorate with low growth and there will be surge in drug and human trafficking.”
He said a survey from the Asia Foundation showed that 80 percent people in Afghanistan complained against corruption, which is horrible.
Danish Envoy to Afghanistan Michael Lund Jeppesen said: “Corruption is poison in a society and unfortunately it hurts the integrity of a country from every side. Denmark suffered from corruption and fought against it for 350 years and now there is zero corruption.”
He said to eradicate corruption, there should be zero tolerance to impunity and a strategy that could end corruption was needed. He pledged his country’s more support in this regard.
An official at the British Embassy in Kabul said: “If we want to free Afghanistan from foreign assistance, there is need for elimination of corruption and efforts that could ensure bright future for Afghanistan.” He said transparent accountability could help eradicate corruption in Afghanistan.
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