We hear the word “corruption” used by people often, from everyday conversation to heated political debates, but what does the term really mean?
INFACT, according to the draft law for “Anti-Corruption In The Public Sector And The Creation Of A National Anti-Corruption Committee” that is currently under review by Parliament, corruption is defined as:
The abuse of power, position, or job in relation to public funds/money in order to achieve illegal benefits or gains, whether in a direct or indirect manner.
Additionally, the draft law gives more specific examples of corruption:
- Crimes resting with Public Administration, as per Lebanon’s Penal Code of 1943 (articles 351-366 and articles 371-397). These address the following topics: bribery, power leverage, embezzlement, abuse of power and violation of duty, insubordination, libel and slander, hostility, denigration, impersonation of characteristics or job positions, removal of official stamps or letters, and the removal of formal declarations.
- Using illegal means to gain wealth.
- Crimes listed in international, anti-corruption treaties that Lebanon is a part of. One example is the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), which aims at reducing cross-border corruption, as well as strengthening international law enforcement and judicial cooperation between nations. Lebanon signed and ratified the convention on April 22, 2009.
Food for thought: When will anti-corruption slogans become a reality? When will the Lebanese Parliament adopt and implement the “Anti-Corruption In The Public Sector And The Creation Of A National Anti-Corruption Committee” draft law?
