This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8466915.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Afghans 'paid $2.5bn in bribes' | Afghans 'paid $2.5bn in bribes' |
(1 day later) | |
Afghans paid $2.5bn (£1.5bn) in bribes over the past 12 months, or the equivalent of almost one quarter of legitimate GDP, a UN report suggests. | Afghans paid $2.5bn (£1.5bn) in bribes over the past 12 months, or the equivalent of almost one quarter of legitimate GDP, a UN report suggests. |
Surveying 7,600 people, it found nearly 60% more concerned about corruption than insecurity or unemployment. | Surveying 7,600 people, it found nearly 60% more concerned about corruption than insecurity or unemployment. |
More than half the population had to pay at least one bribe to a public official last year, the report adds. | More than half the population had to pay at least one bribe to a public official last year, the report adds. |
The findings contrast sharply with a recent BBC survey in which the economy appeared to top Afghan concerns. | The findings contrast sharply with a recent BBC survey in which the economy appeared to top Afghan concerns. |
It's time... to stop money and trust disappearing down a big black hole Antonio Maria Costa head of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime BBC poll reveals optimism How Afghan corruption works class="" href="/2/hi/south_asia/8468783.stm">Afghan reaction to survey | |
The survey commissioned by the BBC and other broadcasters in December suggested that fewer Afghans (14%) saw corruption as the biggest problem than the economy (34%) and security situation (32%). | The survey commissioned by the BBC and other broadcasters in December suggested that fewer Afghans (14%) saw corruption as the biggest problem than the economy (34%) and security situation (32%). |
According to the UN survey, bribes averaged $160 (£98) in contrast to an average Afghan annual income of $425. | According to the UN survey, bribes averaged $160 (£98) in contrast to an average Afghan annual income of $425. |
Bribes were most often paid to police, judges and politicians but members of international organisations and NGOs were also seen as corrupt, the survey said. | Bribes were most often paid to police, judges and politicians but members of international organisations and NGOs were also seen as corrupt, the survey said. |
Antonio Maria Costa, head of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), said corruption was contributing to drug-trafficking and terrorism in Afghanistan. | Antonio Maria Costa, head of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), said corruption was contributing to drug-trafficking and terrorism in Afghanistan. |
The UNODC said its report, Corruption in Afghanistan, was based on interviews with 7,600 people in 12 provincial capitals and more than 1,600 villages around Afghanistan. | The UNODC said its report, Corruption in Afghanistan, was based on interviews with 7,600 people in 12 provincial capitals and more than 1,600 villages around Afghanistan. |
The BBC survey, which was also nationwide, was based on a smaller number of people (1,534). | The BBC survey, which was also nationwide, was based on a smaller number of people (1,534). |
Explicit demands | Explicit demands |
According to the UN survey, 59% of Afghans said their daily experience of public dishonesty was a bigger concern than insecurity (54%) or unemployment (52%). | According to the UN survey, 59% of Afghans said their daily experience of public dishonesty was a bigger concern than insecurity (54%) or unemployment (52%). |
In 56% of cases, the request for illicit payment was an explicit demand by the bribe-taker, it said. | In 56% of cases, the request for illicit payment was an explicit demand by the bribe-taker, it said. |
In three out of four cases, bribes were paid in cash. | In three out of four cases, bribes were paid in cash. |
Around one in four Afghans surveyed had to pay at least one bribe to police and local officials during the survey period while between 10 and 20% had to pay bribes either to judges, prosecutors or members of the government. | Around one in four Afghans surveyed had to pay at least one bribe to police and local officials during the survey period while between 10 and 20% had to pay bribes either to judges, prosecutors or members of the government. |
"The Afghans say that it is impossible to obtain a public service without paying a bribe," said Mr Costa. | "The Afghans say that it is impossible to obtain a public service without paying a bribe," said Mr Costa. |
"Bribery is a crippling tax on people who are already among the world's poorest," he added. | "Bribery is a crippling tax on people who are already among the world's poorest," he added. |
'Perverse and growing' | 'Perverse and growing' |
Another finding of the survey is that at least one in three Afghans believed that corruption was the norm. | Another finding of the survey is that at least one in three Afghans believed that corruption was the norm. |
Only 9% of the urban population ever reported an act of corruption to the authorities, the survey said. | Only 9% of the urban population ever reported an act of corruption to the authorities, the survey said. |
There was also a perception among 54% of Afghans that international organisations and NGOs were corrupt and "in the country just to get rich", the survey added. | There was also a perception among 54% of Afghans that international organisations and NGOs were corrupt and "in the country just to get rich", the survey added. |
"This perception risks undermining aid effectiveness and discrediting those trying to help a country desperately in need of assistance," the UNODC said. | "This perception risks undermining aid effectiveness and discrediting those trying to help a country desperately in need of assistance," the UNODC said. |
Mr Costa noted the emergence of a "new caste of rich and powerful individuals who operate outside the traditional power/tribal structures and bid the cost of favours and loyalty to levels not compatible with the under-developed nature of the country". | Mr Costa noted the emergence of a "new caste of rich and powerful individuals who operate outside the traditional power/tribal structures and bid the cost of favours and loyalty to levels not compatible with the under-developed nature of the country". |
"Criminal graft has become similarly monumental, perverse and growing and is having political, economic and even security consequences," he said. | "Criminal graft has become similarly monumental, perverse and growing and is having political, economic and even security consequences," he said. |
He expressed his concern that the lack of confidence in the Afghan authorities apparent in the survey was making the Taliban's advocacy of "more violent forms of retribution... treacherously appealing". | He expressed his concern that the lack of confidence in the Afghan authorities apparent in the survey was making the Taliban's advocacy of "more violent forms of retribution... treacherously appealing". |
"It's time to drain the swamp of corruption in Afghanistan, to stop money and trust disappearing down a big black hole," the UNODC chief concludes. | "It's time to drain the swamp of corruption in Afghanistan, to stop money and trust disappearing down a big black hole," the UNODC chief concludes. |
"Corruption is the biggest impediment to improving security, development and governance in Afghanistan." | "Corruption is the biggest impediment to improving security, development and governance in Afghanistan." |