The Table of Contents for the RCMP Feature Focus: 2005 Economic Crime is available in html format at: toc_e.htm |
“Corruption” – a form of economic crime
Capacity for global economic impacts
- activities include bribery, kickbacks, money laundering, etc. directed at public officials
Serious repercussions – moral, political, economic, safety and security
- while a serious issue for all countries – culture of corruption accepted in some countries
- in some cases “legal corruption”
- bribes could be tax deductible, distorting international competitive conditions
- analysts call for substantive action to complement formal institutions and legislation
Post-conflict reconstruction zones – particular risk
- post-conflict countries feared to be most susceptible
- war entrenches corruption – used by armed factions to maintain power structures
- reconstruction often coincides with weakened governance – expensive infrastructure projects are prone to abuse
Corruption defined
Misuse of public power for private benefits.
Source: Transparency International, 2005 |
“Corruption”…
Global anti-corruption movement rising
- major international institutions (OECD, UN, OAS) active in combating corruption
- UN Convention Against Corruption – emphasizes prevention and cooperation
- role of civil society critical in:
- generating public awareness through published surveys and diagnostic reports, e.g., Transparency International reports
- formulating and promoting action plans
- monitoring government actions and decisions
Since most cases of corruption involve public officials and private companies, civil society as an independent actor […] is uniquely positioned to investigate and bring to light cases of corruption.
~ World Bank, 2005 |
UN Convention Against Corruption –
commitment to
- establish anti-corruption bodies and enhance transparency in the financing of election campaigns and political parties
- criminalize trading in influence and the concealment and “laundering” of the proceeds of corruption on top of basic forms like bribery or embezzlement
- cooperate in prevention, investigation and the prosecution of offenders
- mechanism for asset recovery – important for many developing countries where high-level corruption has plundered national wealth – resources needed for reconstruction
- 30 ratifications needed for implementation – expected to come into force at the end of 2005
- Canada signed May 2004 – not yet ratified
Source: UN, 2005 |
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