100 Voices on Corruption

100Voices: Mohamed Jawad

by Chad Bouchard / Published January 22, 2013 in 100 Voices on Corruption | Leave a comment

100Voices: Mohamed Jawad from 100Reporters on Vimeo.

Two years ago, the world was captivated as a chain of popular uprisings swept across Middle Eastern countries, and hope for democratic reform reached a fever pitch.

But that fantasy has faded — particularly in Bahrain, where protests against corruption that started in February 2011 have yet to bear fruit. Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets, calling for transparency and an end to nepotism. But the government responded with a violent crackdown that ended in hundreds of injuries, widespread reports of torture, and at least 47 deaths. Hopes for reform have dimmed.

“We must forget about this thing called ‘Arab Spring,’” said Mohamed Jawad, an audio engineer who took his oud and his anti-corruption message to Transparency International’s 15th International Anti-Corruption Conference in Brasília in November.

Jawad feels the international community has abandoned the democratic aspirations of his country, due in part to wealthy nations’ need for Bahraini oil and other resources.

In this 100Voices video, Jawad expresses his despair to anti-corruption groups as they gather in Brasília. He was interviewed by 100Reporters’ Chad Bouchard.

100Voices: Vijay Anand

by Chad Bouchard / Published January 10, 2013 in 100 Voices on Corruption | Leave a comment

100Voices: Vijay Anand from 100Reporters on Vimeo.

Vijay Anand is the founder of Fifth Pillar of India, a grassroots corruption watchdog that uses the power of a collective message to stand up against street-level graft. The group’s message to public officials: ask for a bribe and you’re asking for trouble.

In this 100Voices video, Anand talks about the “Zero Rupee Note,” a small piece of paper citizens can hand out when asked for a bribe. He says this seemingly small gesture is proving surprisingly effective.

Anand spoke at Transparency International’s 15th International Anti-Corruption Conference in Brasília in November. He was interviewed by 100Reporters’ Chad Bouchard.

100Voices: Sely Martini

by Chad Bouchard / Published January 3, 2013 in 100 Voices on Corruption | Leave a comment

100Voices: Sely Martini from 100Reporters on Vimeo.

Sely Martini believes the fight against corruption in Indonesia begins at home. The 34-year-old mother of two is a deputy coordinator with the country’s top anti-corruption watchdog, Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW). She says mothers and young people represent the nation’s best hope to rise above its legacy of graft, which took root decades ago under former dictator Suharto.

ICW is a network of law experts and campaign volunteers that fights corruption on many fronts, from petty bribery to land grabs, illegal logging, embezzlement and buying votes on election day. The group works closely with the country’s anti-corruption court, known as the KPK, to build cases against corrupt officials and root out Indonesia’s entrenched networks of graft.

In this 100Voices video, Sely talks about Indonesia’s precarious future, and her passion for justice against a culture of impunity.

Sely spoke at Transparency International’s 15th International Anti-Corruption Conference in Brasília last month. She was interviewed by 100Reporters’ Chad Bouchard.

100Voices: Marcus Hardtke

by Chad Bouchard / Published December 21, 2012 in 100 Voices on Corruption, Corruption | Leave a comment

Marcus Hardtke from 100Reporters on Vimeo.

“Sometimes, you have to use some guerrilla tactics,” said forest campaigner Marcus Hardtke.

Hardtke is the project coordinator in Cambodia for the Rainforest and Wildlife and Conservation Association, known by its German acronym, ARA. His group helps villagers in rural areas, who are often ignored or exploited by the government, to organize, demand their rights, and to resist illegal logging in forests that they depend on for food, clothing and shelter. Their tactics can be risky. They patrol forests for signs of illegal clearing or logging and occupy logging camps.

On April 26th 2012, Hardtke’s friend and ally, Chut Wutty, was shot and killed while escorting two journalists to report on a logging operation. A security officer was also killed in the incident. Wutty was the founder and director Cambodia-based Natural Resource Protection Group. Critics say the government investigation into the incident, which was closed without any charges filed, was a sham. The commission offered implausible explanations, including a proposal that Wutty had committed suicide out of remorse after shooting the guard. A rash of similar incidents led to the UN calling for Cambodia to stop using firearms against human rights activists.

In this 100Voices video, Hardtke recalls details of the incident from his perspective, and explains why he thinks people who live in timberlands must protect their own resources.

He spoke at Transparency International’s 15th International Anti-Corruption Conference in Brasilia last month. He was interviewed by 100Reporters’ Chad Bouchard.

100Voices: Jiwo Damar Arnakie and Friends

by Chad Bouchard / Published December 5, 2012 in 100 Voices on Corruption | Leave a comment

Jiwo Damar Anarkie and Friends from 100Reporters on Vimeo.

What could a frog and a teddy bear possibly have to do with petty bribery? The puppets are characters in a larger play underway in Indonesia to train children from the youngest ages to recognize and reject corruption.

Jiwo Damar Anarkie is the founder and director of Future Anti-Corruption Leaders, a new Jakarta-based nonprofit that teaches children “joyfully” about fair play, honesty and bribery through songs, story telling and, yes, puppet shows.  The group trains members and volunteers, and is active in 10 provinces throughout Indonesia.

Jiwo spoke at Transparency International’s 15th International Anti-Corruption Conference in Brasília last month. He was interviewed by 100Reporters’ Chad Bouchard.

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