Global Integrity Report

Integrity Scorecard

2009 Assessment

Jordan: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Jordan: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Anti-Corruption Agency
Indicators		Score
74	In law, is there an agency (or group of agencies) with a legal mandate to address corruption?	100
75	Is the anti-corruption agency effective?	72
76	Can citizens access the anti-corruption agency?	63

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

74

In law, is there an agency (or group of agencies) with a legal mandate to address corruption?

74: In law, is there an agency (or group of agencies) with a legal mandate to address corruption?

Score:

YES

NO

score

Comments:

References: Anti-Corruption Commission Law #62/2006 [ LINK ]

75

Is the anti-corruption agency effective?

75a: In law, the anti-corruption agency (or agencies) is protected from political interference.

Score:

YES

NO

score

Comments: Anti-Corruption Commission Law #62/2006, Article 3, stipulates that the Anti-Corruption Commission is to conduct its work freely and independently without interference, and that the commission is independent financially and administratively. However, the law doesn't include procedures or penalties in cases of political interference.

References: Interview with Abed Shakhanbeh, Head of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Amman, ACC, Jan. 4, 2009; Anti-Corruption Commission Law #62/2006: [ LINK ]

75b: In practice, the anti-corruption agency (or agencies) is protected from political interference.

Score:

100

75

50

25

0

score

Comments: Recent cases of corruption have generated heated debates in the press. For example, one case (involving Balqaa Applied University president and two vice presidents) was brought up then discontinued by the decision of the general prosecutor. The prosecutor didn't give any clarifications to this action or why the accused were acquitted. There have been several allegations in the press of political motivation behind the initiation and termination of this case. ACC claims that it does its job without allowing for any interference, and that the case was terminated because it lay outside the jurisdiction of the commission.

References: Alarab Alyawm Daily #4128, Dec. 25, 2008, [ LINK ]

Interview with HE Abed Shakhanbeh, Head of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Amman, ACC, Jan. 4, 2009

75c: In practice, the head of the anti-corruption agency (or agencies) is protected from removal without relevant justification.

Score:

100

75

50

25

0

score

Comments: The Anti-Corruption Commission Law protects the head of the commission from removal, unless based on the placement of the council of the commission and a cabinet decision in limited situations. There is a fear that the head of the ACC could be dismissed from service, just like it happened in the case of the president of the Audit Bureau -- who has a stronger legal immunity than the head of the ACC.

References: Interview with Abed Shakhanbeh, Head of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Amman, ACC, Jan. 4, 2009

75d: In practice, appointments to the anti-corruption agency (or agencies) are based on professional criteria.

Score:

100

75

50

25

0

score

Comments: The appointment criteria don't include clear conflict-of-interest conditions.

References: Interview with Abed Shakhanbeh, Head of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Amman, ACC, Jan. 4, 2009

75e: In practice, the anti-corruption agency (or agencies) has a professional, full-time staff.

Score:

100

75

50

25

0

score

Comments:

References: Interview with Abed Shakhanbeh, Head of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Amman, ACC, Jan. 4, 2009

75f: In practice, the anti-corruption agency (or agencies) receives regular funding.

Score:

100

75

50

25

0

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: The agency (or agencies) has a predictable source of funding that is fairly consistent from year to year. Political considerations are not a major factor in determining agency funding. <p>50 Score Criteria: The agency (or agencies) has a regular source of funding, but may be pressured by cuts, or threats of cuts to the agency budget. Political considerations have an effect on agency funding. <p>0 Score Criteria: The agency\'s funding sources are unreliable. Funding may be removed arbitrarily or as retaliation for agency actions.$

Comments:

References: Interview with Abed Shakhanbeh, Head of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Amman, ACC, Jan. 4, 2009

75g: In practice, the anti-corruption agency (or agencies) makes regular public reports.

Score:

100

75

50

25

0

score

Comments: ACC intends to issue regular overall reports, but so far no reports have been issued.

References: Interview with Abed Shakhanbeh, Head of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Amman, ACC, Jan. 4, 2009

75h: In practice, the anti-corruption agency (or agencies) has sufficient powers to carry out its mandate.

Score:

100

75

50

25

0

score

Comments:

References: Interview with Abed Shakhanbeh, Head of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Amman, ACC, Jan. 4, 2009; Arabesque blog: [ LINK ]

75i: In practice, when necessary, the anti-corruption agency (or agencies) independently initiates investigations.

Score:

100

75

50

25

0

score

Comments: The Anti-Corruption Commission has recently initiated independent investigations in many cases.

References: Interview with Abed Shakhanbeh, Head of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Amman, ACC, Jan. 4, 2009; Alghad daily: [ LINK ]

76

Can citizens access the anti-corruption agency?

76a: In practice, the anti-corruption agency (or agencies) acts on complaints within a reasonable time period.

Score:

100

75

50

25

0

score

Comments:

References: Interview with Fahd Alkhitan, Alarab Alyawm Daily, Editor, Sept. 30, 2009; Interview with Abed Shakhanbeh, Head of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Amman, ACC, Jan. 4, 2009

76b: In practice, citizens can complain to the anti-corruption agency (or agencies) without fear of recrimination.

Score:

100

75

50

25

0

score

Comments: According to the Democracy in Jordan Poll, 59 percent of respondents believe that they enjoy the freedom of opinion, and 78 percent of respondents say that they fear from security and living consequences if they criticize the government. This fact applies to the situation when a citizen intends to complain about corruption perpetrated by a high level public officer. We got no signs that whistle-blowers have been officially or unofficially punished for disclosure.

References: Interview with Fahd Alkhitan, Alarab Alyawm Daily, Editor, Sept. 30, 2009; Democracy in Jordan Poll, Polls Unit, Center for Strategic Studies, University of Jordan, 2007; Interview with Abed Shakhanbeh, Head of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Amman, ACC, Jan. 4, 2009

Global Integrity uses a Creative Commons licence, unless noted here: Terms of Use.
1029 Vermont Ave NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005 USA
Phone: 1.202.449.4100 - Fax: 1.866.681.8047 - info@globalintegrity.org