Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Global investigative journalism network specializing in corruption, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), has once again invited the public to nominate candidates for its infamous Corrupt Person of the Year award.
Every year since 2012, OCCRP’s “Person of the Year” award has been singled out who do the most to wreak havoc around the world through organized crime and corruption.
This annual recognition is not an honor but a stark indictment of individuals or entities deemed to have played a significant role in fostering corruption and organized crime worldwide. By involving the global community in the nomination process, OCCRP aims to shine a spotlight on those undermining governance integrity and public trust.
Public Participation
OCCRP has opened nominations for its Corrupt Person of The Year awards to the public. Participants can submit their entries via a Google Form until December 5, 2024. The organization welcomes nominations from diverse groups, including publics, journalists, academics, business insiders, and law enforcement professionals.
This award has been a powerful tool to raise awareness about the far-reaching impacts of corruption. It highlights those responsible for significant cases of organized crime and corruption in hopes of spurring governments into action.
“With this recognition, we aim to promote accountability by exposing those who have fostered corruption and the political collusion often tied to it,” OCCRP stated in its announcement.
Nomination Process
This year, OCCRP has introduced an accessible online platform where individuals from around the world can nominate candidates. The process involves filling out a form with details about the nominated individual or organization, supported by evidence of their involvement in corruption or organized crime.
After collecting submissions, a team of investigative journalists and legal experts at OCCRP will evaluate the entries to shortlist deserving candidates. The Corrupt Person of the Year winner will be announced at the end of 2024 following a thorough review process.
Past Winners and Corruption’s Global Reach
While nominations have just opened, speculation about potential candidates is already underway. For the last few years, the winner of this awards comes from the politicians, businessman, or even international organizations involved in major scandals.
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Previous recipients of the title include high-profile figures such as Guatemala’s Attorney General María Consuelo Porras, Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, and former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
Driving Global Accountability
Corruption and organized crime remain significant threats to political and economic stability in many nations. By spotlighting these issues, OCCRP hopes to increase public awareness and encourage stricter enforcement of anti-corruption measures.
OCCRP’s Corrupt Person of the Year initiative serves as both a wake-up call and a source of inspiration. The platform emphasizes that combating corruption is a shared responsibility, and public participation can drive greater transparency and accountability.
As nominations open for 2024, the world is reminded of the importance of standing against corruption and organized crime, which undermine societies’ foundational values. OCCRP’s efforts to expose wrongdoing and apply pressure on perpetrators aim to pave the way for a fairer and more just future.
(Raidi/Agung)
