Doha Outcome Raises Hope for UN Convention

As reported earlier, the 142 Parties to the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), meeting in Doha in November, adopted a mechanism to review convention implementation, ending a prolonged deadlock that had prevented the UNCAC from gaining traction. With near-final documents now posted on the UN Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) web site, it seems that if governments opt to make reviews fully transparent, inclusive and detailed, the outcome may be more positive than first reported.

With respect to inclusiveness, governments are encouraged to consult with external stakeholders in preparing responses to a standard checklist for review by two other governments. If they opt to supplement this ‘desk review’ with an ’in country’ visit, they are to “facilitate engagement” with those stakeholders.” Although there is no mechanism for external input directly to the review teams, there is no prohibition on submissions to UNODC, which serves as the UNCAC Secretariat.

With respect to transparency, governments may keep final country reports confidential, but an executive summary will be “made available as official documents” in all UN official languages.

We will be watching to see how the mechanism works in practice as the first half of the 10-year review cycle assesses implementation of the UNCAC provisions on “criminalization and law enforcement” and “international cooperation.”

TI-USA appreciates the Obama Administration’s support in defeating attempts to weaken key provisions and Attorney General Holder’s forceful call to action at the Global Forum. The Doha outcome culminates numerous high-level meetings with the Administration and participation in the joint effort of the UN Global Compact, International Chamber of Commerce and World Economic Forum securing supportfrom 24 corporate CEOs and with over 300 civil society organizations to build national level support

The State Department has invited TI-USA to a briefing on the Doha outcomes on November 30th, and we will post any new information we receive at that time.

UNCAC Parties Leave Future in Doubt

After agreeing in 2006 that a review mechanism is necessary to promote implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption, and haggling ever since on its elements, the Conference of State Parties meeting in Doha failed to include those elements that would help ensure governments fulfill their obligations under the treaty. Despite the efforts of most UNCAC parties to secure a robust mechanism, agreement was blocked by a few, including some members of the G20 who only a month earlier, in Pittsburgh, had called for adoption of “an effective transparent and inclusive mechanism.”
TI-USA and TI chapters around the world had called for full publication of country reports and other materials, in-country visits by independent reviewers and meaningful participation of civil society. These are the fundamental elements of successful review mechanisms, such as those for the OECD and Council of Europe conventions. Public reporting and citizen participation are also fundamental requirements of the UNCAC itself.
Yet, some governments blocked inclusion of such requirements. Since the agreed language has still not been posted, final details are not clear. However, it appears that governments are not required to publish reports, permit country visits or accept input from civil society nor is it required that civil society inputs be given to independent reviewers.
Without these requirements, the mechanism is compromised and the future of the UNCAC as a powerful tool to effectively tackle corruption is uncertain.

Future of UN Convention Against Corruption In the Balance at Doha This Week

As the 4th Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) approaches, governments are deadlocked over how to monitor compliance. Decisions made at the November 9-13 meeting in Doha, Qatar, will determine whether this global framework will fulfill its promise of curbing corruption and its destructive impact on millions of people.

The UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) established a global framework for the prevention, detection and prosecution of corruption, and for the legal and technical cooperation necessary to prosecute cases and recover stolen assets. It has been ratified by 141 countries to date.

Effective implementation will depend on parties establishing and participating in an effective, transparent and inclusive review mechanism. G20 Leaders committed in Pittsburgh to adopt such a mechanism, but a few key governments are threatening to block progress.

Transparency International is one of more than 300 civil society groups collectively demanding effective monitoring of UNCAC at the conference in Doha. TI, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum and UN Global Compact, secured the support of 24 CEOs for the mechanism. TI submitted recommendations for a review mechanism and TI Chair, Huguette Labelle, will lead a civil society delegation of almost 40 TI chapters and experts who will encourage countries to live up to their commitments.