The CPI is an index published annually by Berlin-based Transparency International (TI) since 1995 which ranks countries "by their perceived levels of public sector corruption, as determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys".
The CPI generally defines corruption as "the misuse of public power for private benefit".
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman unveiled the CPI 2020 in a virtual programme on Thursday. It has been prepared based on corruption perceptions in 180 countries.
Bangladesh’s score remained same for the third time which apparently looks satisfactory but even Afghanistan has secured three more points, he said.
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In 2020, Bangladesh secured 26 points under 1-100 scale like previous two years which is still very worrying, Iftekharuzzaman said.
Bangladesh is at 12th place in 2020, two steps lower than the previous year in the rank counting from the bottom among 180 countries, he said, adding that Uzbekistan and Central African Republic are also sharing the same spot with Bangladesh.
TIB Executive Director said with its overall performance, Bangladesh's position is "disappointing" in the index than the previous year.
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‘Bangladesh could have done better’
With a score of 88 out of 100, Denmark and New Zealand topped the global CPI 2020, doing best in curbing corruption.
Bangladesh should have improved their position in tackling corruption but many aspects played negative roles including misuse of political power, curbing freedom of media and citizen, connection of politics with corruption and crimes, the TIB executive director said.
“Bangladesh could have scored far better if it could go beyond the fear and implement the Prime Minister’s policy of zero tolerance against corruption,” he said.
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Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is trying to hold the corrupt people accountable, he said.
“ACC has limitations in bringing the influential corrupt people under legal process, so the implementation of zero tolerance is failing to function despite getting political assurance,” Iftekharuzzaman said.
(Written by: ST, Edited by: ZK)