UNODC national technical assistance in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar in the first quarter of 2019
A first series of UNODC trainings targeted at strengthening anti-corruption agencies’ investigative capacities in the Mekong countries, was conducted in the first quarter of 2019.
The Mekong countries’ GDP growth, averaging 6.7% in recent years, is likely to be sustained in the coming years according to the World Bank, with massive investments in the transport, energy and hydropower sectors, as part of the expansion of the Great Mekong economic corridors. Investments are welcome in particular as a mean to support integration of the least developed countries (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar) in the ASEAN economy. But this growth path comes with high corruption risks. Data confirms pervasiveness of corruption related to business, for instance in the issuance of licenses for extractive industries or in the management of infrastructure projects, the negative impact on sustainable development in the region is hardly calculable.
65% of firms in Cambodia, 40% of firms in Laos, and 30% of firms in Myanmar experienced at least one bribe payment request (“Bribery incidence”)
More than half (54%) firms in Laos are expected to give gifts to get an operating license
9 in 10 firms in Cambodia are expected to give gifts to get a construction permit
Data from the World Bank 2017 Enteprise Survey
Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar have ratified the UN Convention Against Corrution (UNCAC) and the country reviews highlighted the need to strengthen the law enforcement and Anti-Corruption Agencies’ capacities to investigate and prosecute corruption cases.
UNODC technical assistance in the Mekong countries
Jan-March 2019: Some highlights of capacity-building activities in the Mekong countries
In 2018, the State Inspection and Anti-Corruption Authority (SIAA) in Lao PDR investigated 60 cases of corruption and 50 cases were indicated by courts.
UNODC has supported the SIAA developing its capacity in the area of corruption investigation since its establishment. Between 2017 and 2018, Lao institutions receveid more than 3,000 complaints. The SIAA also received approximately 200 complaints regarding the suspicion of misconduct of public officials.
The institutions face challenges in addressing the large volume of complaints received. Following a seminar on complaints mechanisms in December 2017, a specialized training focusing on investigations of corruption complaints was organized on 12-13 March 2019 in Vientiane.
Investigators were trained using practical scenarios that covered cases of foreign bribery, bribery in the public education system, and disputes over land ownership in relation to illegal logging.
UNODC will continue to support the Laotian authorities for a new anti-corruption strategy that will come into force in 2021, as well as the revision of the Anti-Corruption Law and the introduction of a Mutual Legal Assistance Law.
In 2018, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in Myanmar received 10,747 complaints by letters, among which 50 cases were investigated and 11 cases indicted.
In February 2019, a 3-day mentoring programme targeted to the ACC investigators focused on practical scenarios for effective corruption investigations in public procurement. This follows a series of mentoring programmes conducted in 2017: in October 2018, 10 mentees received a 4-week mentoring programme focusing on corruption in the extractive industry.
In March 2019, selected groups of investigators from the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) in Cambodia completed a first one-week mentoring programme on corruption investigations, with a focus on operational plans, inter-institutional cooperation, intelligence, confidential human sources, surveillance and a compiling court brief. UNODC will continue to work with the ACU on advanced trainings for the selected mentees.
Following the 1st cycle of the UNCAC review, most countries in the ASEAN region, including Myanmar, received recommendations to consider strengthening whistle-blower and witness protection mechanisms (UNCAC Articles 32-33).
Despite the progress, Myanmar’s legal framework currently does not include protection for reporting persons for complaints made to ACC. A workshop was organized on 8 February 2019 to identify the main challenges faced in applying Articles 32 and 33 of the Convention and concrete next steps.
The UNCAC country visit to Myanmar, the final step of the UNCAC 2nd review cycle, is planned on 6-9 May 2019.
See Executive Summary from UNCAC 1st review cycle.
In March 2019, the new project “Addressing corruption in the fishing industry” was officially kicked-off in Myanmar with a one-day high-level workshop in Nay Pyi Taw. This project, implemented by the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation with the support of UNODC and NORAD, aims to increase awareness of corruption risks and enhance business integrity in the fishing industry in Myanmar.
“Criminal practices and corruption in the fishing industry are a significant obstacle to achieve sustainable development goals in Myanmar”, H.E. Dr Aung Thu, Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation, at the opening of the day.
“The fishing industry in Myanmar has the potential to generate huge resources for the benefit of the society. Fighting corruption will ensure the best possible distribution of resources and protect these from being misused”, highlighted H.E. Tonnes TInnes, Ambassador of Norway to Myanmar.
Fisheries play a vital role in the culture and economy of Myanmar, and provide significant job opportunities for the population. However, the sector is also vulnerable to a wide variety of crimes due to its long value chain and the complex web of global actors.
This first workshop was a first step gathering all stakeholders involved in the project to map corruption risks in the value chain of the fishing industry and their impact. A stakeholder mapping was also conducted for national institutions, civil society organizations and businesses, which will play an important part in the implementation of the project.
Contact Ms. Marie-Laure Pegie Cauchois, UNDOC Office in Myanmar, for more information.