Put an end to money laundering, bribery and corruption

Cobus de Swardt, Transparency International [4 July 2014]

For too long, crooked figures have been able to stash corrupt proceeds easily in foreign banks or to invest them in luxurious mansions, expensive cars or lavish lifestyles. They do this with impunity and in blatant disregard for the citizens or customers they are supposed to serve. This article sheds light on why government, the private sector and civil society must seek and implement solutions on a global level to stop cross-border corruption. Continue reading →

Coalition CSOs promote anti-corruption enforcement

Source: Dean Calma / Flickr

Gillian Dell, UNCAC Coalition secretariat [8 July 2014]

Enforcement agencies frequently face constraints in their efforts to bring the corrupt to justice. This means widespread impunity for corruption offences. Civil society organisations can play a role. If the authorities are unwilling or unable to investigate, bring charges and prosecute for corruption, civil society can promote or initiate action. In a series of meetings this year, UNCAC Coalition groups have organised discussions on this subject. Continue reading →

Following up on UNCAC reviews

Marie Terracol, UNCAC Coalition secretariat [27 June 2014]

To date, 70 countries have been reviewed and have received recommendations on how to improve their compliance with the UNCAC and on how to further their anti-corruption efforts. These reviews have proved useful in identifying weaknesses and gaps in national legislation and enforcement systems, but the question remains: what do countries do with those recommendations? Continue reading →

Collaborating for common goals: UNCAC and OGP

Vincent Lazatin, UNCAC Coalition, and Andreas Pavlou, Access Info Europe [8 May 2014]

Opening up government and tackling corruption are two sides of the same coin that help governments become more accountable and more transparent and help increase citizen participation in government. The Open Government Partnership and the United Nations Convention against Corruption, two different instruments that work to tackle these issues, are both prominent platforms where civil society can work together to promote these shared goals. Continue reading →

Confiscation of ill-gotten gains: the EU changes the rules of the game

Maud Perdriel-Vaissiere, UNCAC Coalition [9 April 2014]

The European Union adopted a new Directive on the freezing and confiscation of proceeds of crime which aims to make it easier for national authorities in EU countries to confiscate ill-gotten gains made by criminals. The Directive is welcome as, in most EU countries (just as elsewhere in the world), the burden of proof that is imposed on enforcement authorities is so heavy that, in practice, it amounts to granting criminals with a pass for enjoying their ill-gotten gains in total impunity. Continue reading →

Whistleblower protection – still a long way to go

Indira Carr, University of Surrey [7 July 2014]

Corruption, like drug trafficking and human trafficking, is an activity conducted in the shadows. Investigations to a large extent are dependent on third parties (whistleblowers) who speak out in the public interest. A number of jurisdictions have whistleblower protection legislation in place but it is highly questionable whether these laws really do protect those who have the courage to speak out in the public interest. Continue reading →

TI Malaysia calls for civil society engagement in the UNCAC review process: Reflections following an UNCAC workshop in Kuala Lumpur

Jessica Sercombe, Transparency International Malaysia [3 July 2014]

A regional workshop on the UNCAC review mechanism provided a unique opportunity for civil society organisations and government anti-corruption agencies in the Asia Pacific region to clarify key concepts on the UNCAC framework and discuss its implementation in national contexts. Importantly, it was also a space for CSOs and government to strengthen their collaboration and voice their positions on enhancing anti-corruption efforts. Continue reading →

Coalition Coordination Committee election results

Following elections ending on 24 April 2014, the UNCAC Coalition Coordination Committee welcomed five new members: Article 19 (David Banisar), FOL Movement (Fidan Kalaja), Institute of Governance Studies, BRAC University (Manzoor Hasan), Fundación Mujeres en Igualdad (Monique Thiteux-Altschul) and Transparency International Zambia (Goodwell Lungu). The Committee thanked the five outgoing CCC members for their valuable contributions to the Coalition during their recent tenures on the Committee: 5th Pillar (Vijay Anand), Christian Aid (Eric Gutierrez), Asociación Civil por la Igualdad y la Justicia (Ezequiel Nino), SHERPA (Sophia Lakhdar) and AfriCOG (Wycliffe Adongo).

UNCAC Coalition Coordination Committee Elects New Chair and Vice Chairs

From left: Christine Clough, Manzoor Hasan, David Banisar

The UNCAC Coalition Coordination Committee held elections on 6 June for the positions of Chair and Vice Chair and are pleased to announce the following results:

• Chair: Manzoor Hasan
• Vice Chair: Christine Clough
• Vice Chair: David Banisar

The Committee also expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the outgoing Chair Vincent Lazatin and Vice Chair Slagjana Taseva for their outstanding service.

Member in the Spotlight: Transparencia por Colombia

Transparencia por Colombia are an independent citizens’ group that helps to prevent corruption by working with the public, the private sector and community stakeholders. Through the provision of training tools on the UN Convention against Corruption, as well as on methodologies, reports and advocacy, the organisation aims to increase public awareness of corruption-related issues. Continue reading →

Using the UN Convention against Corruption to Advance Anti-corruption Efforts: a Guide (2014)

This new guide is designed to support civil society organisations in using the UNCAC effectively. It leads you through UNCAC processes and institutions, and explains how to devise effective monitoring and advocacy that will bring about change and enhance anti-corruption efforts at both the national and international levels. Available in English, French, and Spanish.

Guide to the Role of Civil Society Organisations in Asset Recovery (2014)

This recently published guide was developed by the International Centre on Asset Recovery, in consultation with participants of the Arab Forum on Asset Recovery in September 2013. It shows the diverse ways in which civil society organisations can contribute to the fight against corruption and help get assets back to their rightful owners. Civil society’s role ranges from advocacy, research and awareness-raising, through to evidence gathering and even litigation to recover stolen assets. Available here.

The latest in anti-corruption research: Issue 16 of the ACRN Newsletter (July 2014)

This newsletter is part of the Anti-Corruption Research Network (ACRN), a Transparency International initiative to strengthen the knowledge community and information service for anti-corruption research. Available here.

The Global Anti-Corruption Blog

This new blog, which started up in February 2014, is devoted to promoting analysis and discussion of the problem of corruption around the world. The blog is intended to provide a forum for exchanging information and ideas across disciplinary and professional boundaries, and to foster rigorous, vigorous, and constructive debate about corruption’s causes, consequences, and potential remedies. Visit website.

Preventing Corporate Corruption: The Anti-Bribery Compliance Model, Ed. Manacorda, Centonze, Forti (2014)

This book presents the results of a two-year international research project conducted by five academic institutions, under the co- ordination of ISPAC, in co-operation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC) to investigate and provide solutions for reducing bribery and corruption in corporations and institutions.

Corruption and Human Rights Law in Africa by Kolawole Olaniyan (2014)

This book examines the impact of large-scale corruption on human rights and the degree to which a human rights approach to confronting corruption can buttress the traditional criminal law response.