Civil society recognition as victims of corruption: A breakthrough in Latin America

19 September 2025 –

For years, the UNCAC Coalition’s Working Group on Victims of Corruption has been raising awareness of a crucial but often overlooked truth: corruption creates real victims, and civil society must have the ability to defend them in legal proceedings. Recent developments in Latin America mark an important breakthrough, offering hope for stronger accountability and access to justice.

On 25 August, the Supreme Court of Peru set a powerful precedent by recognizing PROÉTICA – Transparency International’s chapter in Peru – as an aggrieved party in a corruption case involving public officials who allegedly manipulated social program contracts under the Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion (MIDIS).

The ruling affirmed that:

  • Corruption does not only harm the State – it produces direct victims, such as the schoolchildren meant to benefit from the Qali Warma food program.
  • Civil society associations have standing to defend collective and diffuse interests harmed by corruption, based on Article 94 of the Criminal Procedure Code, Constitutional Court jurisprudence, and the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).

The Coalition supported this case with the submission of an amicus curiae brief prepared by the Vance Center reinforcing the principle that civil society can and should have legal standing in corruption cases.

Regional Momentum

Peru is not alone. Across Latin America, similar advances show how civil society is carving out space in the justice system to defend victims of corruption:

  • Argentina: A judge admitted Poder Ciudadano, Transparency International’s chapter in Argentina, as a litigant in a corruption investigation involving high-level officials. The judiciary upheld the legitimacy of an NGO to act, even though it was not directly involved in the events.
  • Mexico: The NGO TOJIL has brought a case before the Inter-American human rights system, seeking recognition as a representative of the public interest in a major corruption scandal linked to former Governor Javier Duarte.

These developments highlight a growing recognition that civil society organizations can provide transparency, expertise, and a voice for victims in proceedings that otherwise risk being dominated by political or institutional interests.

A Global Precedent

The Peruvian Supreme Court’s decision resonates far beyond Latin America. At a time when restrictive laws and political pressure are shrinking civic space worldwide, this ruling affirms the essential role of NGOs in ensuring that corruption cases reflect the voices and rights of those most affected.

The Coalition will continue to build on this momentum, advocating for legal reforms and precedents that strengthen victims’ rights and civil society participation in anti-corruption efforts worldwide.