Abu Aosba: The Commission works in three directions and has a national anti-corruption strategy

Dr. Bilqis Abu Aosba, the Deputy Head of the National Supreme Anti-Corruption Commission, said that the Commission's efforts to combat corruption were heading towards three directions: inquiry and investigation; prevention; and awareness-raising and education. The Commission, she said, had prepared an extensive national anti-corruption strategy.

In her lectured delivered at the SCSS on Tuesday, August 18, 2009, Ms Abu Aosba pointed out that the Commission had established " a complaint window" so that complaints could be referred to the relevant specialists. In this context, she said that the Commission had received 419 complaints so far; but, she said that 216 of this number were outside the jurisdiction of the Commission, affirming that the Commission had been following up the issues and when the legal measures have been through, everything would be clear. She pointed out that the applicable laws do not allow the Commission to disseminate any information prior to the final say of Justice, especially in those serious and sensitive issues such as the importing of polluted butene and benzine, bribery and other issues.
As regards prevention, the Deputy Head of the Commission said that there were about 36000 persons who had been asked to present a statement of their own properties, but only 10000 person had done so up till now. In this respect, Abu Aosba said that the Commission had prepared a bill to amend a number of the laws that are in contravention with the Anti-Corruption Act such as the act concerning taking over high posts, which prohibits calling those people in high posts into account.
As regards awareness-raising and education, Abu Aosba stated that the Commission had prepared a national anti-corruption strategy and would be disseminated by the media and the civil society in order to give opportunity for effective participation on the part of all different segments of the society. In addition, the Commission conducted a number of events and workshops dedicated to raise awareness about fighting corruption, which has turned the act of combating corruption into societal education. She  also affirmed that the Commission intends to integrate the issues of corruption in the curricula taught at the highest levels.