(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — It’s no secret that bribery, nepotism, embezzlement, kickbacks, and vote-buying often plague Lebanese institutions and government agencies. In fact, the Global Integrity Index classifies Lebanon as a “very weak country” in terms of integrity.
But a Beirut-based NGO is trying to change the culture of corruption by encouraging Lebanese citizens to report an act of corruption when they witness it.
The app is called “Sakker El Dekkene”, or “Shut the Store” in English, and it was founded by Lebanese anti-corruption activist Rabih El Chaer. Citizens can anonymously report bribes, kickbacks, and other corruption by simply entering the name of the agency and description.
El Chaer says the reports are then published online for other citizens and government agencies to see. He adds that curious lawmakers have already begun watching the app, as over 3,000 Lebanese citizens have begun issuing reports.
“Corruption weighs in our lives, limits our access to information, blurs our critical thinking, impedes change and lock us in a vicious cycle of economic and political inefficiency,” said El Chaer. “We rationalize corruption and make it look acceptable to the extent that we have no incentive to act against it.”
Does this sound familiar?
El Chaer says the app could serve as a solution to introduce reforms that combat corruption.
“Our reporting tools will uncover and measure corruption across the sectors and services of the administration,” he said. “These metrics will allow to assess, plan and implement targeted reforms.”
El Chaer is the founder of the Human Rights Center at the University of the Holy Spirit in Lebanon. He was formerly the Managing Director of the Lebanese Transparency Association and a legal advisor to the Minister of Interior and Municipalities.
For more information about the app, click here.