Compilation of best practices of efforts to counter the negative impact of corruption on the enjoyment of all human rights

Background

Pursuant to paragraph 9 of Human Rights Council Resolution 29/11 on the negative impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has been requested to prepare a compilation of best practices of efforts to counter the negative impact of corruption on the enjoyment of all human rights developed by States, national human rights institutions, national anti-corruption authorities, civil society and academia.

Summary

Some of the key conclusions made in the compilation:

• Respondents shared the view that States were duty bound to combat corruption since corruption has a negative impact on the enjoyment of human rights and can lead to or directly constitute human rights violations.
• Several respondents highlighted the importance of a human rights-based approach to combating corruption, which would be focused on the victim, on State responsibility and on prevention and redress.
• Respondents stressed the instrumental role of human rights for preventing and combating corruption. They drew attention, in particular, to freedom of expression, the right of access to information, freedom of the media, freedom of assembly and association, and protection of victims and witnesses, whistle-blowers, reporting persons, anti-corruption activists, investigative journalists, prosecutors, lawyers and judges. Respondents also emphasized the importance of education, including human rights and anti-corruption education, and training to prevent corruption.
• Respondents recommended using indicators for measuring the negative impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights.
• Respondents also highlighted the transnational character of corruption and the consequential need for international cooperation to prevent and suppress corruption and to recover illicit assets.

Inputs received

OHCHR requested inputs from relevant stakeholders through a short questionnaire (English). 

Member states

• Argentina
• Austria – BAK
• Austria - MJ
• Bahrain
• Bolivia
• Colombia
• Cuba
• Estonia
• Georgia
• Greece
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Mauritius
• Montenegro
• Oman
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Romania
• Russia
• Saudi Arabia
• Switzerland
• Trinidad & Tobago
• Tunisia
• Turkey
• Turkmenistan
• Ukraine

National human rights institutions 

• Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan
• Danish Institute for Human Rights
• Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman of Finland
• Office of the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights of Hungary
• National Human Rights Commission of Mexico
• Office of the Ombudsman of Peru
• South African Human Rights Commission 

Civil society organizations

• Asabe Shehu Yar Adua Foundation
• Brazilian Association of Women in Defence of Children and Adolescents
• Ayady Al Khair Society for Relief and Charity Work
• Center for Grassroot Development and Crime Prevention
• National Association for the Fight against Corruption
• International Police Executive Symposium
• New Line Social Organization
• Niger Delta Budget Monitoring Group
• Washington and Lee University School of Law