Governments create new tool against corruption

NEW YORK—All United Nations member-countries, including the Philippines, have agreed over the weekend to a new mechanism to monitor and implement a global treaty to fight corruption.

UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa praised governments for recognizing that “the promotion of a culture of integrity and the prevention of corruption are the responsibilities of all sectors of society.” This theme was echoed throughout the weeklong negotiations in Doha, Qatar by parliamentarians, the media, civil society, the private sector and international organizations.

“This agreement will not end corruption, but it will enable us to measure and fight it,” Costa said. “From now on, all states will be judged by the actions that they take against corruption, not the promises they make.”

The legally binding UN Convention against Corruption, which entered into force in December 2005, obliges 142 countries to prevent and criminalize corruption, promote international cooperation, recover stolen assets, and improve technical assistance and information exchange.

Under the new mechanism, all UN member-countries will be monitored every five years to see how they are living up to their obligations. Findings, based on self-assessments and peer reviews by experts, will be compiled in country review reports. The executive summary of these reports will be made public.

The country reports will identify gaps in national anticorruption laws and practices. Strengths and weaknesses will also be revealed by a self-assessment checklist based on new software developed by UNODC. This analysis will enable more effective delivery of technical assistance.

“Since corruption hurts us all, we must all unite to fight it,” said Costa, who described the Convention against Corruption as “the people’s convention.”

Businesses, as well, were urged to align their anticorruption practices with the convention. “CEOs: come around the table, and pledge not to cheat—and ensure that everyone is playing by the same rules. Governments have done it, now it’s your turn,” he added.

A review mechanism would enable states to analyze the effectiveness of its fight against corruption and identify where more progress is needed.

“At the moment, corruption is in the eye of the beholder—there is no way to measure it,” said Costa.

Earlier, the UNODC and the UN Development Fund launched the campaign “Your NO Counts” which calls on individuals to take a stand against corruption.

Through a series of six posters and online information on a range of issues from vote-rigging and embezzlement of funds to subverting the judicial system and obstructing access to education, the UN initiative raises awareness of how corruption blocks progress toward internationally agreed antipoverty targets for poor countries, known as the Millennium Development Goals. –Imelda V. Abaño / Correspondent, Businessmirror