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The global civil society network for the implementation and monitoring of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) |
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Dear Reader, A lot happened at the 9th UNCAC Conference of the States Parties (CoSP). To find out more, see our: One challenge the CoSP has highlighted: The space for civil society to participate in UN fora is shrinking. 349 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including the UNCAC Coalition and many of its members, have signed an open letter, calling for States that take NGO participation at the UN seriously to run for the next term of the ECOSOC Committee. The Committee oversees the consultative status of NGOs and thus has a gatekeeper role for civil society participation in UN fora, including the UNCAC CoSP. In recent years, the applications of many leading NGOs have been blocked by some States for apparent political considerations. The often difficult conditions for human rights defenders working against corruption are also highlighted by a new report from Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders (see below). |
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Above: Civil society organizations and State Party delegations stand together against the exclusion of eight highly regarded CSOs from the CoSP9. |
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UNCAC Review Process |
NGOs in four countries have recently released parallel assessments on national UNCAC implementation, produced with support from the UNCAC Coalition: |
The reports cover the implementation of Chapter II (Preventive Measures) and Chapter V (Asset Recovery) provisions of the UNCAC. |
| Civil Society Report on CambodiaCambodia has made progress in adopting relevant anti-corruption legislation to implement various provisions of the UNCAC, the new report finds. However, the legal framework leaves significant room for improvement, and enforcement actions are often biased and weak. Key challenges identified by the report include insufficient political independence of Cambodia’s main anti-corruption body, a lack of publicly accessible information as well as restrictions on freedom of speech and freedom of the media. |
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Civil Society Report on HondurasThe Honduras report identifies several strengths and weaknesses in UNCAC implementation in the country. While access to information is one of the strongest corruption prevention areas in Honduras, the politicization of several institutions central to the fight against corruption and high levels of impunity among the country’s elites for corruption offences are some of the main obstacles to effectively fighting corruption. Thus, enhancing the independence and the technical and financial capacities of anti-corruption bodies is one of the report’s key recommendations. |
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| Civil Society Report on UgandaWhile Uganda has enacted anti-corruption laws, such as on access to information and whistleblower protection, in consultation with civil society, the implementation of this legal framework remains weak in practice, the new report finds. Key challenges identified in the report include the limited capacity of anti-corruption bodies to carry out their mandate due to insufficient human and financial resources and government attempts to silence civil society through censorship, threats and the arrest of activists. |
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Civil Society Report on ColombiaThe report on UNCAC implementation in Colombia finds that the country has adopted a comprehensive framework of anti-corruption policies. However, more needs to be done to effectively implement laws and policies in practice. There are also several anti-corruption issues which still need to be legislated in Colombia, including the protection of whistleblowers and criminal liability of legal entities for acts of corruption. Moreover, greater protection of civil society is urgently needed as anti-corruption and human rights activists have faced censorship, violence and even murder. |
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Recent Developments from the 2nd Cycle Review of the UNCAC |
Ireland, Portugal and Saudi Arabia have recently published their full country reports, while Austria (which will facilitate a meeting with civil society during its upcoming country visit in March) and Argentina have released their Self-Assessment checklists. |
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Recent Activities Member in the Spotlight |
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The Indonesia-based Partnership for Governance Reform (Kemitraan) works to build the internal capacity of anti-corruption institutions, while increasing the ability of civil society to monitor these institutions. Over the last five years, Kemitraan’s programs have helped to enhance cross border asset recovery, environmentally responsible tin mining operations, and the financial transparency of COVID-related economic recovery programs. Learn more about Kemitraan’s work here! |
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Welcome to our new members! |
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Our new Members from top left to bottom: We would also like to extend a warm welcome to our new individual member Naomi Roht-Arriaza. |
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UNCAC Coalition Report on UNCAC Review MechanismTake a look at the UNCAC Coalition’s recent report: Keeping up with the times: A way forward for ensuring an inclusive, transparent and effective UNCAC Implementation Review Mechanism. The report examines the performance of the Review Mechanism, evaluates States Parties’ implementation of UNCAC Art.13, and makes recommendations for strengthening the mechanism and promoting meaningful engagement of civil society in the process. |
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| Canada takes lead in support for an International Anti-Corruption CourtCanada appears to take a leading role in the efforts to establish an International Anti-Corruption Court, an idea that has been championed by Integrity Initiatives International but saw limited support from States in the preparation of the June 2021 UNGASS against corruption. In December, the Canadian government directed the new Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly to work “with international partners to help establish an International Anti-Corruption Court, to prevent corrupt officials and authoritarian governments from impeding development that should benefit their citizens." At the US Summit for Democracy in December, Canada committed to convening "a national high level, multi-sectoral roundtable to explore options to strengthen the international legal framework and architecture to combat corruption globally." |
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UK releases framework for asset returnWith the release of its new Framework for transparent and accountable asset return in January, the UK became the first country to publish its policy for returning the proceeds of corruption to other countries. The Framework is a welcome precedent that positions the UK as a champion of transparency and civil society involvement in international asset return processes. However, if these principles are to be put to good use, it is important that the UK ramps up its enforcement efforts to improve its track record on confiscating these stolen assets in the first place, Spotlight on Corruption argues. |
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| Special rapporteur recommends more civil society inclusion in UNCACMary Lawlor, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, has released a new report on human rights defenders working against corruption. Her recommendations include to
”meaningfully engage CSOs and other non-State stakeholders in all stages of the review process of the United Nations Convention against Corruption: specific details on how civil society is engaged should be disclosed in country review reports and executive summaries; and CSOs and other stakeholders should also be allowed to participate as observers in the subsidiary bodies of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, including the Implementation Review Group, which oversees the review process.” |
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New OGP Report Reflects on the Initiative’s First 10 YearsThe Open Government Partnership (OGP) has published a new report to reflect on where the action plan process is working well, where it needs improvement, and what this means for future OGP strategy. The report addresses OGP countries’ progress in involving civil society; the stability of government offices; the quality of action plans; as well as OGP country performance in key areas such as anti-corruption and civic space.
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