Page 78 - BUKU STRENGTHENING THE INDONESIAN PARLIAMENTARY DIPLOMACY FADLI ZON

The Impact of Corruption

on Global Refugee

It is my great pleasure to address you today at this 133 IPU General Assembly not only as a
rd
parliamentarian but also as the Chair of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against
Corruption, (GOPAC). Our membership extends across the world to include current and
former legislators from 106 countries, women and men who are dedicated to working together
to combat corruption and promote good governance. I am here with Mr Osei Kyei Mensah
Bonsu, the Vice-Chair of GOPAC, Member parliament from Ghana.

We believe that the crime of which Transparency International defines as the abuse of entrusted
power for personal gain exists in most part of the issues of migration.

Another breeding ground for corruption in terms of migration is within the context of migration/
refugees aid. There have been reports on how some groups/non-governmental organizations or
even governmental institutions taking the advantage from the international contributions and
donations by creating proposals where none of them are being implemented in correct manner.

Corruption deprives the fundamental rights of refugees. In a country where the rule of law is
weak and state-apparatus integrity is low, migration issues often coupled with corruption. It
occurs in every stages of migration from border protection, immigration control, up to the lack
of services to the basic needs of the refugees.

Corruption is the facilitator of the migration related crime: human smuggling and trafficking.
Smugglers and traffickers as well as corrupt officials use the migrants, those who are desperate
enough—most of them are—for personal gain.

Selected Speeches of the Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia I 65