Turkey Joins with the OECD Working Group in the Anti-Corruption Fight

Posted on September 14, 2009 - Filed Under Government

Thirty eight countries from around the world make up the anti-corruption organization called the OECD Working Group. This group focuses on all cases of corruption focusing specifically on cases of bribery.A few months ago at a convention, the government of Turkey was recognized for their continued effort in the fight towards ending corruption and bribery in their country, and for the continued efforts to comply and follow the procedures that are outlined by the OECD. The country is now in what is called the Phase 2, and as noted, the government consistently takes the necessary steps towards following the recommendations of the Working Group.

Two cases of bribery are being investigated in Turkey, cases of foreign corporations and their allegations regarding situations surrounding the United Nations’ program of Oil-for Food. The American organization of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act monitors and investigates foreign corruption cases concerning the US companies. The members of the Turkish parliament are drafting laws that reflect the nature of the FCPA for their own country, their own corporations and the way in which they handle their foreign business affairs. For now, although it is not considered a legal practice yet, they have begun the effort to raise the awareness of their business leaders and community, to the effects of such acts of corruption and bribery, and to inform those leaders of the consequences of bribing public officials.

However, until those companies are held legally liable for cases involving foreign bribery, the Working Group will not see the country of Turkey as being in compliance with their regulations and their recommendations. In order for them to become compliant they must draft a set of laws regarding the liability of corporations and companies, that will hold them subject to legal prosecution when those laws are broken. Once Turkey does enact these laws, the Working Group has recommended that group of peers, lawyers, be assigned to review and analyze those laws. The two cases currently under investigation will go to court in December of this year, and it has also been suggested that the peer group of lawyers sit in on those proceedings as well. Turkey is one more country that is joining in the anti-corruption fight.

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