Corruption high in Azerbaijan - poll
Most businessmen operating in Azerbaijan believe corruption is high
in the country, a recent survey suggests.
70% of respondents in 14 major, 170 small and 16 private entities maintain that corrupt practices are widespread in the high echelons of power, according to the poll conducted among 200 business leaders by Transparency Azerbaijan, the local representation of international watchdog Transparency International.
Low salaries of government officials, the dependence of courts on executive authorities, gaps in legislation and the lack of independence of the private sector were cited among the reasons.
A part of those polled said corruption was due to moral deterioration of society, lack of faith in Allah and bribery's taking hold in the country.
Respondents that were optimistic said the economic reforms carried out in the past three years, oversight of officials' activity as well as pressure by the Council of Europe and other international organizations have led to the reduction of the corruption level.
The poll participants expressed hope that the entities set up to combat corruption would operate efficiently and tangible results in anti-corruption fight would be achieved in the future.
Executive director of Transparency Azerbaijan Rena Safaraliyeva said sluggish combat against corruption in the country was due to executive and state bodies' negligence. She said that although a number of legislative acts and decisions on anti-corruption combat have been passed, their enforcement is being delayed due to the failure to register information about such violations, improper consideration of relevant public appeals and some citizens' lack of knowledge on means of fighting corruption.
"The most disappointing here is that corruption, mostly bribe-taking, has become commonplace. In most cases, this takes place on the free will of those giving bribes. In other words, the number of people justifying corruption is quite large," Safaraliyeva said.
She said the most efficient ways of countering corruption were oversight over the compliance with relevant legislation, investigation of corruption-related instances and elimination of legal and administration gaps that could lead to such violations.
70% of respondents in 14 major, 170 small and 16 private entities maintain that corrupt practices are widespread in the high echelons of power, according to the poll conducted among 200 business leaders by Transparency Azerbaijan, the local representation of international watchdog Transparency International.
Low salaries of government officials, the dependence of courts on executive authorities, gaps in legislation and the lack of independence of the private sector were cited among the reasons.
A part of those polled said corruption was due to moral deterioration of society, lack of faith in Allah and bribery's taking hold in the country.
Respondents that were optimistic said the economic reforms carried out in the past three years, oversight of officials' activity as well as pressure by the Council of Europe and other international organizations have led to the reduction of the corruption level.
The poll participants expressed hope that the entities set up to combat corruption would operate efficiently and tangible results in anti-corruption fight would be achieved in the future.
Executive director of Transparency Azerbaijan Rena Safaraliyeva said sluggish combat against corruption in the country was due to executive and state bodies' negligence. She said that although a number of legislative acts and decisions on anti-corruption combat have been passed, their enforcement is being delayed due to the failure to register information about such violations, improper consideration of relevant public appeals and some citizens' lack of knowledge on means of fighting corruption.
"The most disappointing here is that corruption, mostly bribe-taking, has become commonplace. In most cases, this takes place on the free will of those giving bribes. In other words, the number of people justifying corruption is quite large," Safaraliyeva said.
She said the most efficient ways of countering corruption were oversight over the compliance with relevant legislation, investigation of corruption-related instances and elimination of legal and administration gaps that could lead to such violations.
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