Iraqi President Barham Salih Introduces Draft Law to Curb Corruption, Recover Stolen Funds
Iraqi president Barham Salih has presented to Iraq’s House of Representatives a draft law aimed at recovering funds lost to corruption and holding those who steal public money accountable. He calls on parliament to adopt this crucial piece of legislation in order to curb this pervasive practice that has plagued Iraq.
Corruption in Iraq does not stop at Iraq’s borders, stressed President Salih. Huge sums of money, estimated in the billions, have illegally exited the country. Of the close to a thousand billion dollars made from oil since 2003, an estimated 150 billion dollars of stolen money has been smuggled out of Iraq. This legislation would seek to recover these funds through the cooperation of other governments, and in partnership with international bodies, he explains.
Corruption is not less dangerous than terrorism, it is the political economy of violence. State institutions must take a serious, decisive and resolute stand to confront this.
[Corruption] perpetuates already-existing systemic problems in Iraq, and fuels violence and divisions in our communities. President Salih has reiterated Iraq’s call, which we have previously issued at the United Nations General Assembly, for the formation of an international coalition to fight corruption along the lines of the international coalition against ISIS.
The President believes this bill is an opportunity for leaders to take a decisive and resolute stand against one of the largest problem’s our nation faces and lead us on a path towards an Iraq that serves all of its citizens.
