Manama, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Interior Minister, today made the following statement marking the International Anti-Corruption Day:
“The Kingdom of Bahrain joins the rest of the world in celebrating International Anti-Corruption Day, marked annually on December 9, out of the dedication and strong will to fight such crimes through active programmes and initiatives to promote sustainable development.
Through the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Kingdom of Bahrain has succeeded in achieving various milestones to be a roadmap to fight corruption through constitutional amendments, supporting the legislative authority to draft related laws and creating and developing supervision bodies. This reflects the political will to promote integrity, transparency and fighting corruption for citizens’ comprehensive development and decent living.
The accountability and responsibility in the government work and integrity values reinforced by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prince Minister, and his directives to intensify internal monitoring showcase his dedication to protecting public money.
The celebration of the International Anti-Corruption Day asserted that Bahrain continues efforts to reinforce integrity, transparency and anti-corruption. We hail the efforts of all national organisations in promoting integrity values and transparency principles. We assert that protecting national responsibility leads us to further progress, and national anti-corruption campaigns reflect cooperation and integration among all segments of society to create ambitious awareness initiatives not only by anti-corruption authorities but also by sectors, organisations, NGOs, and individuals.
The General Directorate of Anti-Corruption and Economic and Electronic Security has been dedicated to including various events and activities in the National Anti-Corruption Campaign to promote integrity culture and enhance awareness of the corruption risks and to be an opportunity to promote national cooperation through workshops, lectures and seminars.
In this context, in coordination with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Anti-Corruption Academy, workshops and courses were held this year for all corruption-combating sectors.
Meanwhile, the General Directorate of Anti-Corruption and Economic and Electronic Security dealt with 284 corruption cases from 2021 to 2023, including 15 with criminal suspicions referred from the Cabinet related to the reports by the National Audit Office.
The Kingdom of Bahrain also has made regional and international anti-corruption efforts, making it an active global partner. Bahrain is part of the Arab and the United Nations Anti-Corruption Agreements. It is involved in international and regional efforts to fight corruption through constructive cooperation with regional and international organisations to exchange expertise and knowledge and build organisational capabilities. On this occasion, I thank and appreciate all national efforts and achievements to protect public money and support development. May God protect Bahrain under the leadership of HM the King.”
Source: Bahrain News Agency