In this document, the UNHRC formally recognises the negative impact of widespread corruption on the enjoyment of human rights, which manifests itself, inter alia, in reduced resources in all sectors thereby hampering the enjoyment of all human rights.
The resolution stresses that corruption:
- Undermines access to justice, jeopardizes democracy and the rule of law, and erodes public trust in government;
- Has a particularly negative impact on those in vulnerable situations;
- Results in discriminatory access to public services, especially, in times of crisis.
The resolution contains a number of recommendations and appeals:
- Ratification and implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption;
- Need for cooperation among governments, the private sector, academia and NGOs;
- Provision of bilateral and multilateral technical assistance to countries with the aim to strengthen national capacities to prevent and fight corruption;
- Creation of a safe environment in which civil society, the media, journalists and academia can operate free from hindrance and insecurity;
- Focus on corruption prevention, especially among those in vulnerable situations who may be the first victims of corruption;
- Importance of anti-corruption awareness-raising, including the role of international organisations such as the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Anti-Corruption Academy in training and awareness-raising;
- Use of digital technologies and open data to enhance transparency, detect and investigate corruption.
The resolution suggests the following next steps:
- Preparation of a comprehensive study with concrete guidelines on implementing existing procedural and substantive human rights obligations of States in the context of preventing and combating corruption by the Advisory Committee of the UNHRC for its sixty-fourth session;
- Enhanced cooperation between the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and UNODC to exchange information, coordinate on research and training.