From the Dept. of Stupid Americans Won't Sign The Treaty Again
Political parties are the public institutions most marred by corruption, an international watchdog group said Thursday in a new global survey marking the United Nations' first International Anti-Corruption Day. Berlin-based Transparency International [released its] Global Corruption Barometer, which surveyed more than 50,000 people in 64 countries. TI chapters around the world were pressuring governments and parliaments Thursday to ratify the U.N. Convention against Corruption. The convention was signed in December 2003, but only 12 of the 30 nations required to ratify it before it can take effect have done so. The United States has not ratified the convention.
"International Anti-Corruption Day is an excellent opportunity for governments all over the world to prove that they take the fight against corruption seriously," said Cobus de Swardt, head of international programs for TI. "We invite them all to sign and ratify the United Nations convention and to take into consideration the clear message sent by public opinion in the world: Corruption strongly affects the life of every person," he said. "It is time to act." |