Sometimes corruption does not seem like a big deal in many parts of the world. As the argument goes, everyone’s doing it – it gets things done.
But dig a little deeper – and it becomes more difficult to wave the problem away and dismiss corruption as “part of the culture.” BBC’s story on corruption and security in Iraq is a perfect example. If you think that security failures and recent bombings are influenced by the capacity of the Iraqi military and police alone – you are likely misguided. Corruption is a big part of the equation.
Iraq’s state television channel has broadcast what it said was a confession by one of the organisers of the 19 August bombings, who spoke of paying $10,000 to get a truck laden with explosives into the centre of the capital.
Some doubt this confession. Investigations continue. But insurgents are known to have used this tactic many times before to bypass security checks.
Point being is that corruption is not only about privatizing huge companies at a fraction of their costs, it is not only about giving a bribe to a police officer for a minor traffic violation, or responding to extortion when trying to get your business registered. Corruption is also about real lives.
When the topic of corruption comes up, I am always reminded of the Beslan hostage crisis – the 5 year anniversary of which will be next week. There will be many stories next week about the children that died in Beslan – the innocent victims of the conflict in the in the North Caucasus region, conflict which has recently intensified once again with attacks on police officers.
In discussing the Beslan crisis, many will be quick to point fingers, whether at the Russian government for not doing enough or the terrorists for committing this act. But few will blame corruption – which was ultimately a big part of what happened. Terrorists were able to drive their trucks, full of people and ammunition, through the various check-points by bribing their way through.
I hope attitudes towards corruption begin to change in Iraq and such stories do not become a regular occurence. I hope Russian people can also change their attitudes towards corruption, if only on September 1st, when they remember the victims of Beslan.
And I hope these stories serve as a constant reminder to people everywhere that corruption is a big deal, because the lives of real people are its biggest cost.
Published Date: August 28, 2009