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• Civil liberties Defence Companies Anti-Corruption Index 2012. Transparency International UK, 3.10.12, pp. 30, (ISBN: 978-0-9569445-8-0).

Civil liberties Defence Companies Anti-Corruption Index 2012. Transparency International UK, 3.10.12, pp. 30, (ISBN: 978-0-9569445-8-0).

01 March 2013

With a foreword by a Former Secretary General of NATO, it is clear that this study is not in itself opposed to aspects of the arms trade that are often so contentious amongst campaign groups, such as sales to repressive regimes. Rather, it focuses on corruption in the arms – or “defence” industry – seeing it as “dangerous, divisive and wasteful.” This can lead to bad reputations for the governments and companies involved, “much to the frustration of the many honest people working in it.” The report is well-researched, with primary research leading to the first major finding that “two thirds of defence companies do not provide adequate levels of transparency.” 129 companies were examined altogether, largely on the basis of questionnaires issued to relevant staff and information available publicly (e.g. via websites). Only ten of those 129 reach a score that “means they have good, publicly available evidence of having at least basic ethics and anti-corruption compliance systems in place.” Further sections of the report examine whether companies meet global standards; corporate “leadership” on anti-corruption practices; emphasising to employees a zero-tolerance anti-corruption policy.

Available as a download: link