Public Perceptions of Corruption and of the HOO in Afghanistan

Survey conducted by Gallup

under subcontract to

Management Systems International (MSI)/

Assistance for Afghanistan’s Anti-Corruption Authority (4A) Project

October 2011

Afghans Coordination Against Corruption - AFCAC

AGENDA

Objectives Project Methods Key Findings Overall Wellbeing and Corruption Situation Awareness and Impressions of the High Office High Office Communication Effect and Accessibility Barriers to Filing Corruption Complaints

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OBJECTIVES OF THE SURVEY

Develop citizen baseline attitudes toward HOO:– Degree of awareness of HOO– Degree of trust in HOO– Citizen assessment of HOO effectiveness

Improve registration process of corruption complaints: Support development of HOO’s Communication Strategy:

– Citizen interests, concerns, priorities, and needs– Audience segments – Most critical messages

Support development of HOO’s regionalization strategy: – Citizen interests in regional offices– Best approaches for registering complaints

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Support HOO planning and operations so it can better achieve its organizational goals and improve citizen services

METHODOLOGY

3,500 face-to-face interviews were conducted between July 20 – July 28 2011.

Urban and rural sampling was distributed proportional to geographical and residential characteristics of the population of each province based on 2011-12 estimates by CSO IROA.

305 Afghan national interviewers (154 female, 151 male) were used in data collection.

Standard close-ended questionnaire in Dari and Pashto

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Governorate

N Governorate

N Governorate

N Governorate

N Governorate

N Region N

Badakhshan 120 Faryab 120 Kandahar 160 Nangarhar 200 Samangan 40 Central 880

Badghis 60 Ghazni 160 Kapisa 60 Nimroz 20 Sar-e-Pul 80 North 500

Baghlan 120 Ghor 80 Khost 80 Nooristan 20 Takhar 140 South 360

Balkh 180 Helmand 120 Kunar 60 Paktia 60 Urozgan 60 East 340

Bamyan 60 Herat 240 Kunduz 120 Paktika 60 Wardak 80 West 460

Day kundi 60 Jozlan 80 Laghman60 Panjshir 20 Zabul 40

North East

500

Farah 80 Kabul 520 Logar40 Parwan 100

South West

460

KEY FINDINGS

The current situation in Afghanistan is marked by high levels of corruption, and moderate to low levels of wellbeing.

Corruption and bribery are widespread and believed to be getting worse. Bribes requested by officials are almost always paid, but are rarely reported.

– This problem is especially severe in the West. Awareness of the High Office is high across Afghanistan – 72% are aware of

the HOO– Awareness levels are somewhat lower in the North-West and South regions, and

among females.– Television is the primary source of awareness in urban areas, while radio is the

primary source in rural areas. 74% know generally what the High Office does 25% have confidence in the High Office, at a similar level to confidence in

the judicial system, but far below confidence levels for local shuras/jirgas.– Confidence is particularly low in the South region.– 44% trust the HOO to provide a fair review of corruption complaints.– Building HOO’s ties with local shuras/jirgas may improve HOO credibility.

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KEY FINDINGS (Continued)

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While all areas of High Office performance are in need of improvement, investigation of complaints, referring cases to the Attorney General, and monitoring the anticorruption efforts of other government agencies are recurring examples of the most substantial shortcomings.

Past experience is a key driver of willingness to use the High Office in the future.

– Those who experienced threats or retaliation are unlikely to file complaints in the future.

– Those whose complaints were addressed have a high degree of willingness to use the High Office for future complaints.

In-person reporting of claims is preferred. – However, males are much more likely than females to report claims in

person, and therefore also are more likely to utilize local branch offices of HOO.

Interest in learning more about all aspects of anti-corruption efforts is quite high, especially regarding how to defend one’s rights, details of ongoing investigations, and how to file complaints.

WELLBEING IN AFGHANISTAN SHOWS FEW THRIVING

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KEY FINDING: There are substantial differences in wellbeing. Levels are highest in urban areas, as well as the East and Central regions. However, conditions are improving in the West and North-West.

On which step of the ladder would you say you personally feel you stand at this time, assuming that the higher the step, the better you feel about your life, and the lower the step the worse you feel about it?/Just your best guess, on which step do you

think you will stand in the future, say about five years from now?

Right now, do you feel your standard of living is getting better or worse? (Percent “Getting Better”)

CONFIDENCE IN INSTITUTIONS IS MAINLY LOW

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KEY FINDING: Local shuras/jirgas retain the most confidence, especially in the East. Confidence in the national government is highest in the North-East, as is confidence in the Attorney General’s office. Confidence in police is particularly low in the South. 25% of citizens have confidence in the HOO.

In Afghanistan, do you have confidence in each of the following, or not? (% Yes)

Confidence in Institutions

Central(n=880)

South(n=80

0)

East(n=34

0)

West(n=480

)

North-East

(n=500)

North-West

(n=500)

Urban(n=86

0)

Rural(n=2,64

0)

Local Shuras or Jirgas 69% 64% 90% 68% 77% 70% 58% 75%

Police 54% 21% 36% 37% 54% 52% 53% 38%

National Government 39% 21% 20% 26% 51% 39% 38% 31%

High Office of Oversight and Anti-Corruption 31% 11% 34% 23% 28% 34% 33% 23%

Judicial System and Courts 33% 7% 21% 20% 38% 28% 32% 22%

Prosecutors or the Attorney General 32% 8% 6% 16% 43% 25% 37% 18%

CORRUPTION HIGH IN AFGHANISTAN TODAY

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KEY FINDING: Corruption levels are perceived to be quite high, especially in urban areas, as well as the West, East, and South regions.

In your opinion, is it common in Afghanistan for people to (1) give a bribe of money or gifts to officials or (2) use personal contacts in order to get something done by government departments? (% Yes)

How would you describe levels of corruption in Afghanistan today? Would you say levels of corruption are very low, low, moderate, high, or very high? (% Very high or high)

CORRUPTION PERCEIVED TO BE ON THE RISE

Compared to one year ago, are levels of corruption in Afghanistan increasing, decreasing, or staying the same?

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KEY FINDING: Across Afghanistan, corruption is perceived to be worsening. While the trend appears to be somewhat less negative in the North-West and North-East regions, the overall direction still skews toward the negative. The downward trend is most severe in the West.

HIGH AWARENESS OF HIGH OFFICE OF OVERSIGHT (HOO)

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KEY FINDING: Awareness of the High Office of Oversight and Anti-Corruption is at high levels across Afghanistan, though is slightly lower in the South and North-West regions. In urban areas, the primary source of awareness is TV, while in rural areas radio plays a more prominent role.

Before today, had you ever heard of the High Office of Oversight and Anti-Corruption? (% Yes)

What is the main way you have heard about the High Office of Oversight and Anti-Corruption?

Urban Rural

UNDERSTANDING OF HOO’s PURPOSE

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KEY FINDING: 74% think the HOO works to eliminate, reduce, investigate or monitor corruption, but one-quarter does not know what the HOO does.

What do you think the High Office of Oversight and Anti-Corruption does?

Total (n=3500)

Urban (n=860)

Rural (n=2640

)

Male (n=1750)

Female (n=1750)

They eliminate or reduce corruption 46% 49% 45% 50% 41%

They punish corruption 12% 13% 12% 14% 10%

They investigate corruption 7% 7% 7% 7% 6%

They prevent corruption 5% 5% 5% 5% 6%

They monitor corruption 3% 1% 3% 3% 3%

They educate or empower the public 1% 2% 1% 1% 2%

The High Office is ineffective 3% 2% 3% 4% 3%

Don't Know 23% 21% 24% 18% 29%

FEWER THAN HALF WOULD TRUST THE HOO TO REVIEW COMPLAINTS

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KEY FINDING: 44% trust the HOO to review corruption complaints, while trust in local shuras, jirgas, or local religious figures tends to be higher.

Please tell me whether you would fully trust, somewhat trust, or not trust each of the following to provide a fair review of your complaints about government corruption.

Fully Trust Somewhat Trust

Would Not Trust

Don’t Know

Mullahs, Mawlawis, or other individuals with religious standing

54% 28% 13% 5%

Local Shuras or Jirgas 46% 34% 15% 4%

Other local influential figures 33% 37% 18% 12%

Police 27% 26% 45% 2%

Private Attorneys 25% 32% 29% 14%Special Commissions of Meshrano or Wolesi Jirgas

24% 38% 26% 12%

Provincial or District Governors 23% 40% 29% 7%

High Office of Oversight and Anti-Corruption

18% 26% 44% 12%

Nongovernmental Organizations 16% 35% 37% 12%

Ministers or Deputy Ministers 15% 36% 36% 13%

Prosecutors or the Attorney General 14% 24% 53% 9%

The courts or the Supreme Court 14% 21% 56% 8%

ASSESSMENTS OF HOO REVEAL AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT

Please tell me whether you think the High Office of Oversight is completely effective, somewhat effective, or not effective at all at each of the following anti-corruption functions.

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KEY FINDING: The High Office is viewed as being completely or somewhat effective by a majority of citizens in their ability to educate the public and monitor government finances. Registering, referring or investigating complaints and monitoring the anticorruption efforts of other government agencies are viewed with more skepticism.

SOLICITATION OF BRIBES PERVASIVE

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KEY FINDING: Solicitation and offering of bribes are very common occurrences. The problem is most severe in the West, South, and North-East regions.

In the past twelve months, have you or has any member of your family been asked to give money or gifts or offered money or gifts to a government official to get something done? (%Yes)

How many times in the past twelve months have you or has any member of your family been asked to give money or gifts or offered money or gifts to a government official to get something done? (Among those who had been asked to give a bribe, n=2,081)

Note: “Don’t Know” and “Refused” excluded from base and percentages.

BRIBERY IS COMMONPLACE ACROSS VARIOUS OFFICIALS

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KEY FINDING: Bribe-taking or bribe-giving occurs with roughly equal frequency among local/provincial government officials, members of the judicial process, police/army, or tribal officials.

Now, please think about the most recent time you or your family member were either asked by a government official for money or a gift OR you offered a government official money or a gift to get something done. Which of the following best describes the

type of official you interacted with during this most recent incident? (Among those who had been asked to give a bribe, n=2,081)

Note: “Don’t Know” and “Refused” excluded from base and percentages.

BRIBES ARE PAID, BUT RARELY REPORTED

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KEY FINDING: Nearly all pay bribes when solicited. While relatively few complain, those who do, tend to turn to the police, local government, or shuras/jirgas, not to the HOO.

Still thinking about this most recent incident, did you or your family member actually pay the bribe in any form?Still thinking about this most recent incident did you or your family member register a formal complaint about the official or the bribe request?

(Among those who had been asked to give a bribe, n=2,081 (% Yes))

Who did you or your family member register the complaint with? (Among those who registered a formal complaint, n=613)

Note: “Don’t Know” and “Refused” excluded from base and percentages.

MIXED RESULTS OF FILING A CORRUPTION COMPLAINT

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KEY FINDING: The most common response to filing a claim is a threat or retaliation. However, roughly one-fourth of complaints result in preventative action that is visible to the impacted citizen. Follow-up activities are not clear in all cases.

Please tell me whether each of the following happened after you or your family member registered the complaint. (Among those who registered a formal complaint, n=613)

Yes No Don’t Know

You or your family experienced threats or retaliation. 36% 64% -It is still in progress, no resolution yet. 25% 75% -Actions were taken by the government to prevent the same corruption from occurring again.

24% 63% 12%

Nothing at all has happened. 22% 78% -

You received the service that you had originally requested from the government.

18% 82% -

The corrupt officials were fired, sanctioned, or brought to justice.

9% 80% 11%

Paid extra money to take my complaint letter back. 3% 97% -You received compensation for any extra payment you made.

2% 98% -

Note: “ – “ represents a true zero answer for the category.

LOW WILLINGNESS TO REGISTER A COMPLAINT

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KEY FINDING: Willingness to register complaints is relatively low. Males prefer to directly register complaints in person, while females would tend to rely on a male household member.

Regardless of whether you have personally experienced government corruption in the past 12 months, would you be likely or unlikely to register an official complaint in the future if you did experience government corruption.

(% “Likely”)

If you were going to register an official complaint about government corruption, how would you prefer to register your complaint?

PRIOR EXPERIENCE HEAVILY DRIVES FUTURE LIKELIHOOD TO COMPLAIN ABOUT CORRUPTION

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Regardless of whether you have personally experienced government corruption in the past 12 months, would you be likely or unlikely to register an official complaint in the future if you did experience government corruption?

(% “Likely”)

Result of Prior Complaint

KEY FINDING: Prior experience plays a very strong role in future complaint behavior. Threats or retaliation severely dampens willingness to register future complaints, while corrective action encourages it.

Note: Only types of prior actions with sufficient sample size (at least n=50) are included.

(n=98) (n=145) (n=131) (n=156) (n=219)

MIXED PREDICTIONS FOR WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF REGISTERED A COMPLAINT

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KEY FINDING: The most likely anticipated outcome of a complaint is a threat. However, resolution and/or action to address the complaint are both viewed as just as likely. Compensation or disciplinary action are viewed as less likely to occur.

If you were to register an official complaint about government corruption in the future, please tell me whether you think each of the following would be likely or unlikely to happen after registering the complaint.

Likely Unlikely Don’t Know

You or your family would experience threats or retaliation.

39% 39% 22%

Actions would be taken by the government to prevent the same corruption from occurring again. 37% 44% 19%

Nothing at all would happen. 32% 45% 23%

You would receive the service that you had originally requested from the government. 31% 48% 22%

The corrupt officials would be fired, sanctioned, or brought to justice. 16% 61% 23%

You would receive compensation for any extra payment you made. 13% 69% 18%

EXPANSION OF HIGH OFFICE LOCATIONS COULD SHIFT REPORTING BEHAVIOR

If the High Office of Oversight had a branch office located near your home, would you register your complaints about corruption with that office instead of with other institutions?

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KEY FINDING: One-third say they would switch to HOO for reporting corruption if an office were more conveniently located.

Yes NoWould not Register

Don’t Know/Refused

Total 32% 37% 27% 4%

Central 36% 35% 26% 3%

South 23% 38% 32% 6%

East 36% 34% 28% 3%

West 38% 35% 23% 4%

North-East 32% 42% 26% 1%

North-West 31% 38% 25% 5%

Urban 38% 37% 22% 3%

Rural 30% 37% 29% 4%

Male 46% 32% 19% 3%

Female 18% 42% 35% 5%

HIGH INTEREST IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT ANTI-CORRUPTION ACTIVITIES

How interested are you in learning more about each of the following topics? Are you very interested, somewhat interested, or not interested at all?

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KEY FINDING: Interest in learning about a variety of topics is strong, especially regarding defending one’s rights, how to register complaints, and details of ongoing investigations.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The High Office needs to disseminate more information about its mission and its achievements in order to boost understanding and trust with the public, and increase complaints registered with the HOO.

Communication regarding all aspects of anti-corruption efforts is desired by the population. Messaging regarding how to file a complaint and the status of current investigations is likely to be well received.

Confidence in all aspects of the judicial process is somewhat low. Communications that reinforce commitment, effectiveness, and success stories may be effective in reversing current perceptions.

Past experiences with corruption complaints drive future intents to report. Therefore, emphasizing examples of how claims have been handled safely and effectively can help to build positive reporting momentum.

Efforts to curb retaliation for filing complaints should be increased. If left unchecked, it can and will severely limit the public’s willingness to file complaints in the future.

Television is an effective means for HOO to communicate in urban areas, but radio should be used as the primary communications medium in rural areas.

Citizens would rather register their complaints with the HOO in-person

HOO branch offices are likely to be an effective alternative to reporting to the police. Furthermore, creating partnerships with local jirgas/shuras is likely to enhance both visibility and trust for the HOO.

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FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS

Update the HOO Communications Strategy to increase the number of complaints registered with the HOO

Establish/train “mini-HOO” branches within local shuras or jirgas in several regions as pilot test

Re-emphasize procedures to provide timely follow-up to complainants

Develop procedures to seek “administrative resolution” of corruption complaints before passing cases to judicial system

Add “success stories” to HOO website

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