More than 1,000 delegates at Morocco conference review progress governments have made in fighting graft under UNCAC agreement
MARRAKESH (TrustLaw) - The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) lacks teeth even though more than 150 countries have signed up to it, and could work better if governments put more impetus on empowering citizens to fight graft, according to a report by non-governmental organisation Tearfund.
The report – "Better together: evidence of the crucial role that citizens play in fighting corruption" – says UNCAC, the most comprehensive global agreement on corruption, could significantly reduce graft and contribute to sustainable development.
“Corruption presents a major obstacle for development and the poorest and most marginalised people face the full impact," Tearfund Advocacy Director Paul Cook said at the launch of the report at the conference of state parties to UNCAC in Marrakesh, Morocco.
More than 1,000 delegates are attending the week-long conference to review what progress governments have made in fighting graft under the terms of the convention, the world's largest anti-corruption treaty.
Tearfund noted that of the 25 countries at the bottom (most corrupt) of Transparency International's 2010 Corruption Perceptions Index, 80 percent signed UNCAC, and most signed it at least five years ago.
"The Convention is clearly not having the impact that it should," said Cook.
To maximise impact, citizens need to be fully involved and aware of anti-graft strategies because they are ideally placed to challenge corruption at the local level, the report said.
FIGHTING CORRUPTION LOCALLY
Martin Kapenda, co-ordinator of Micah Network in Zambia, said that in his country many citizens did not know about their government's efforts to fight corruption.
"Citizens and grassroots communities are crucial in the fight against corruption," Kapenda told TrustLaw. "Citizens can watch and monitor each other and officials. They can hold leaders to account. But often they don't know how to fight corruption."
Central government is too far removed from local communities, he said, meaning that corruption can often continue unchecked.
The impact on people's lives is far-reaching and in the worst cases can even be lethal – for example in the health sector, Kapenda said.
"Take HIV/AIDS treatment, for example. In my country, many people cannot afford the high cost of medicines and they can sometimes only get access to treatment by paying bribes."
Tearfund interviewed civil society organisations and members of parliament from Africa, Asia and South Africa and also got input from six focus groups in Zambia, aimed at finding out how citizens perceive their role in fighting corruption.
As an example of a local initiative against corruption, the report cites Kenya where school bank accounts were set up to ensure that money earmarked for education is transferred directly from the national government to schools to pay for teaching materials.
In the Philippines the "Check My School" initiative, set up by a civil society group, allows citizens to use mobile phone text messages and a website to report problems with schools. A team of volunteers verifies reports and works with the Ministry of Education on following up on issues.
MORE FROM THE CONFERENCE:
UNCAC member states can benefit from fuller civil society participation - UN official
Campaigners urge Morocco to clean up its act on corruption
Arab Spring “emphatic rejection of corruption” – UN official
Secrecy undermines effectiveness of world’s biggest anti-graft convention – campaigners
FACTBOX: Five key facts about UN Convention Against Corruption
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(Editing by Rebekah Curtis)
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