Iran advances 26 places in Corruption Perception Index: Transparency International

TEHRAN,Dec. 3 (MNA)-- Iran has risen from 146th on the list of 183 countries to 120th in Corruption Perception Index 2011, showing a tremendous breakthrough in fighting corruption and advancing the good governance. Transparency International’s 2011 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which was released on Thursday, shows that Iran’s score of Corruption Perception Index has risen from 2.2 in 2010 to 2.7 in 2011. By progressing the country’s score of Corruption Perception Index, Iran’s rank has been picked up from 146th in last year to 120th in 2011, which shows the breakthrough of Islamic Republic in fighting corruption and improving the situations of market and economy. The index scores 183 countries and territories from 0 (highly corrupt) to 10 (very clean) based on perceived levels of public sector corruption. It uses data from 17 surveys that look at factors such as enforcement of anti-corruption laws, access to information and conflicts of interest. Two thirds of ranked countries score less than 5. New Zealand ranks first, followed by Finland and Denmark. Somalia and North Korea (included in the index for the first time), are last. “2011 saw the movement for greater transparency take on irresistible momentum, as citizens around the world demand accountability from their governments. High-scoring countries show that over time efforts to improve transparency can, if sustained, be successful and benefit their people,” said Transparency International Managing Director, Cobus de Swardt. Most Arab Spring countries rank in the lower half of the index, scoring below 4. Before the Arab Spring, a Transparency International report on the region warned that nepotism, bribery and patronage were so deeply engrained in daily life that even existing anti-corruption laws had little impact. Corruption continues to plague too many countries around the world, according to Transparency International’s 2011 Corruption Perceptions. It shows some governments failing to protect citizens from corruption, be it abuse of public resources, bribery or secretive decision-making. Transparency International warned that protests around the world, often fuelled by corruption and economic instability, clearly show citizens feel their leaders and public institutions are neither transparent nor accountable enough. “This year we have seen corruption on protestors’ banners be they rich or poor. Whether in a Europe hit by debt crisis or an Arab world starting a new political era, leaders must heed the demands for better government,” said Huguette Labelle, Chair of Transparency International. The CPI ranks countries/territories based on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be. It is a composite index, a combination of polls, drawing on corruption-related data collected by a variety of reputable institutions. The CPI reflects the views of observers from around the world, including experts living and working in the countries/territories evaluated.