Karbala’s New Computer System to Prevent Corruption

“Government departments really need to develop their staff computer skills before they can implement this new system,” one local man told NIQASH.

Another local asked what would happen to the computers with all the frequent power cuts in Iraq. “If the power is off for several hours, then nothing will be able to be done and we’ll be standing around for hours,” he complained.

A representative of the Adam Centre for Rights and Freedoms in Karbala felt that the new computerized system could be a good idea.

“The Iraqi people have the right to public services without being subjected to harm and abuse,” Ahmed Jawid said. “Some people have to pay bribes so they can get their documents signed and a lot of the local bureaucrats act as if they are doing the applicants a favour, when in fact they are meant to serve them.”

A new database could help with all of these issues, Jawid suggested. “But it will only be useful if it doesn’t create a whole new range of problems,” he cautioned.