Summary

In 2019, Iraqis took to the streets to demand an end to corruption. Even though Iraq is a middle-income country that significantly relies on revenue from the oil sector. As the demonstrators emphasized, those revenues do not find their way to benefit its people, resulting in a lack of basic services, a breakdown in the citizen-to-state social contract and rising unemployment. Most importantly, corruption affects the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.

In response, the European Union and UNDP are collaborating on the 'Anti-Corruption and Arbitration in Iraq' project, which builds on Iraq's efforts to improve transparency and accountability across state institutions. The project supports Iraq's fight against corruption by supporting institutions to revise its anti-corruption laws and providing specialized on-demand training for corruption investigators and integrity judges.  

The overall objective is to build on Iraqi efforts to fight corruption in a sustainable manner and create a conducive environment for attracting foreign investments and private sector development. The specific objectives are:

• Address legislative and strategic gaps in fighting corruption.
• Improve the capacity and integrity of public institutions investigating and adjudicating corruption offences.
• Improve capacity and legal framework to conduct commercial litigation.
• Enable a climate of support in Parliament for fighting corruption and enhancing the commercial litigation system.
• Engage civil society, media and citizens in a constructive dialogue in anti-corruption reform.

What this project will achieve:

Through demand-driven training and tailored technical advice, the project will contribute to:

1.   Improved Legislative and Strategic Framework for Anti-Corruption Reforms.

2.  The justice sector and Commission of Integrity are better equipped to process corruption offences due to:

      a.  improved technical skills relevant for corruption investigation, prosecution, adjudication; and

       b.  improved integrity rules of the justice sector.

3.   Improved capacity and legal framework to conduct commercial litigation through:

    a. better legal framework and capacity building for arbitration; and

     b.  further development of the commercial courts.                                    

4.   Create a climate of support in Parliament for anti-corruption reforms.

5.   Increased transparency and public accountability.