Bahraini interior minister calls for fighting corruption

Interior Minister, Lt-Gen Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, called upon civil society members to participate in the fight against corruption. He spoke about the need to reinforce transparency to ensure the success of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa's ongoing reform project.
Interior Minister thanked all organizations, NGOs, journalists and community members who worked with police to identify and report corruption practices. He said corruption is especially detrimental because it effects the economic and political spheres and has negative implications on society and its development and investments.
The Minister discussed Bahrain’s efforts to fight corruption including a public awareness campaign, aimed at all segments of society, that outlines the risks and legal ramifications of corruption and how it runs counter to the international values of integrity and transparency. He also highlighted the steps taken by Bahrain to promote international cooperation, especially in the implementation of the United National Anti-corruption Convention ratified by HM the King on 4 February 2010 in accordance to a law (7) of 2010. This convention covers a vast range of crimes, including bribes, embezzlement and misuse of power, in addition to embezzlement and money laundering.
He highlighted that the government, chaired by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, prioritizes the fight against corruption in order to protect financial resources that have been flagged for development and enhancement projects.
Interior Minister lauded the visit of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister to the General Directorate of Anti-Corruption and Economic and Electronic Security on 12 January 2014. The visit underlined Bahrain's leadership's resolve to fight corruption and protect the interests of the country. During the visit, HRH Crown Prince directed that 25 violations by a number of government bodies mentioned in the Financial Audit Court Report be referred to the coordination committee formed by the cabinet. Those cases were then referred to the Public Prosecution.
Interior Minister noted the successful focus on lowering Bahrain's position on the Corruption Perceptions Index as outlined in the National Anti-corruption Strategy. Bahrain is currently ranked 55th internationally and third in the GCC. He also revealed that Bahrain has joined the International Anti-Corruption Academy in Austria to gain the experience necessary to stamp out corruption and to begin new levels of international cooperation.
He stated that in 2014, the General Directorate of Anti-Corruption and Economic and Electronic Security received 218 reports of corruption on the national hotline of which 73 cases were found to be actionable.
He thanked all of department’s personnel as well as ministries and organisations who had cooperated with investigators, and thanked them for their efforts to protect resources and maintain transparency and integrity.