On Anti-Corruption Day (IACD), observed annually on December 9, we emphasize the importance of addressing corruption in our societies. This day commemorates the adoption of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in 2003.
Corruption remains a significant barrier to development, democracy, and good governance. With 190 countries, including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan committed to the UNCAC, there is a global consensus on the necessity of effective measures to combat this issue. However, countries in Central Asia and the countries of the democratic West continue to struggle with holding major corrupt players accountable.
Notably, only two individuals from Central Asia—Gulnara Karimova and Raimbek Matraimov—have ever faced sanctions for corruption. Matraimov walked free today after paying a fine of 100,000 Kyrgyz som (1,152 USD), while Matraimov’s and Gulnara Karimova’s enablers, partners, proxies and facilitators continue to enjoy impunity. Two years have passed since the January events in Kazakhstan, yet the Nazarbayev clan, along with its proxies and enablers, continues to enjoy the fruits of its corrupt practices and stolen wealth without facing significant repercussions. Thousands of Tajik dissidents seek refuge abroad while the Rakhmon regime clings to power to continue lining its pockets. Meanwhile, Turkmenistan’s kleptocrats live in opulence, far removed from the harsh realities faced by ordinary citizens who struggle daily to put food on the table. This stark contrast highlights the persistent inequality and injustices perpetuated by corrupt elites of Central Asian states who evade accountability, further entrenching the cycle of poverty and disempowerment among the populace. Azerbaijan hosts important events such as COP29 (United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC) greenwashing their corruption while at the same time keeping anti corruption advocates under arrest. The lack of effective measures to address these injustices underscores the urgent need for a robust international response to hold these corrupt figures accountable and to demand justice for those affected by their greed.
All countries of Central Asia have terrible corruption record and consistently rank at the bottom of the Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Kazakhstan scoring 39/100, Uzbekistan 33/100, Kyrgyzstan 26/100, Tajikistan 20/100 and Turkmenistan scoring the lowest – 18/100. The CPI assesses public sector corruption through the perceptions of experts and business executives, with scores ranging from zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). These states also consistently score at the bottom of the Freedom House’s democracy and freedom rating and year after year remain ‘Consolidated Authoritarian Regimes’.
Corruption facilitates transnational crime, fuels terrorism, obstructs economic growth and development, weakens the rule of law, undermines democracy and endangers global security. Corruption is a significant catalyst for human rights abuses, as it undermines the rule of law and erodes trust in public institutions. When corrupt officials prioritize personal gain over their responsibilities, it creates an environment where abuses can flourish unchecked. In many cases, resources that should be allocated for essential services—such as education, healthcare, and public safety—are diverted into the pockets of the corrupt elite, leaving vulnerable populations without adequate protection or support. Furthermore, individuals who expose corruption or advocate for accountability often face intimidation, harassment, and violence, further suppressing dissent and stifling civil liberties. This environment of impunity not only perpetuates systemic inequality but also creates a cycle of fear, where human rights are sacrificed for the benefit of those in power, ultimately weakening the fabric of societies. Combatting corruption is therefore essential not only for promoting good governance but also for safeguarding human rights and ensuring that all individuals can live with dignity and security.
The independent media and civil society, which play a vital role in exposing corruption and advocating for whistleblower protections, are under continuous attack in all Central Asian states. To effectively combat corruption, the democratic West must assertively hold perpetrators accountable, regardless of the potential backlash from the kleptocratic autocrats who rule these countries with an iron fist. It is crucial to send a clear message to kleptocrats that the West will not tolerate corruption that enables human rights abuses. The international community must not turn a blind eye to authorities who allow corrupt officials to evade justice while silencing journalists and human rights defenders. By advocating for stronger sanctions and supporting accountability efforts, we can emphasize that corruption has no place in a democratic society.
