Corruption Events

Among the challenges posed by globalised networks (whether reckoned in terms of flows of people, resources or information) is the emergence of new forms of corruption and the opportunities to extend, internationally, formerly localised corrupt practices. Global interconnectedness not only offers new opportunities for the spread of corruption but, simultaneously, poses significant governance problems. The manner in which such governance issues are resolved will be consequential for international relations, national freedoms and individual life-chances. It is ever more apparent that many corrupt acts now have the power to impact on an international scale, from the distribution of international aid, the securing of commercial contracts, to the application of responsibilities in international law.

The fight against corruption has figured high on the agenda of the international community since the mid 1990s resulting in the adoption of regional and international conventions. Civil society is regarded by many of these conventions as an important tool in this fight. While Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have an obvious role in raising awareness, their more direct involvement in fighting corruption has proved vexing. For example, following the Third Conference of the States Parties to the UNCAC, Doha, 2009, proposals for a peer review mechanism were adopted. These were widely criticized by CSOs for allowing states would to produce reviews that were secretive and lacking transparency. Similarly, CSOs argued for observer status in the Implementation Review Group at the 2010 Fourth Conference in Marrakesh 2010, to be refused by the States Parties. 

This reluctance on the part of states to allow substantive involvement of CSOs raises a number of interesting questions that merit further delineation and investigation. The UN continues to insist that “CSOs are UN system partners and valuable UN links to civil society . . . .  and are indispensable partners for UN efforts at the country level”.