Event information

17 September 2019, 12:00-13:00

Downloads

Flyer >

Launch of the Practitioners' Guide on Human Rights and Countering Corruption

Event

Poster on corruption Poster on corruption
 color big for website   EDA RGB hoch pos En   Office logo EN blue SMALL 72dpi 

Background

Corruption is one of the major impediments causing individuals to be denied the full enjoyment of their rights as enshrined in the United Nations (UN) human rights instruments. There has been long consideration given to the impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights and acknowledgement that corruption ‘both drives human rights abuses and hinders the effective discharge of human rights obligations’.

The UN Convention against Corruption has proven to be an important instrument governing the international fight against corruption. However, there have been discussions amongst stakeholders on the need to address corruption-related human rights issues. There is a growing recognition on the serious impediment’s corruption-related acts have on the enjoyment and fulfilment of human rights obligations. In March 2019, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture published a report examining the relationship between corruption and torture or ill-treatment, outlining the predominant patterns of interaction between the two, systemic root causes and recommendations.

Since 2018, there has been a significant improvement in the way UN treaty bodies have addressed the issue of corruption in their work: there is greater awareness, corruption is increasingly linked to other human rights violations and mentioned in more countries. In order to keep improving this work, UN human rights mechanisms also need to receive information and reports on the issue of corruption.

A Practitioners’ Guide on Human Rights and Countering Corruption

In order to encourage anti-corruption groups and movements to use the UN human rights framework at their disposal, the CCPR Centre, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Geneva Academy developed a Practitioners’ Guide on Human Rights and Countering Corruption. This guide focuses notably on how UN human rights mechanisms can be better used to report on corruption issues, and it provides guidance as well as practical recommendations on effectively integrating human rights into anti-corruption efforts. The guide will be presented during this side-event.

On the occasion of the launch of the guide, this panel, co-organized with the CCPR Centre, OHCHR and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, will explore innovative practical ideas on how best to address corruption-related human rights issues within the UN human rights framework.

Key Considerations for the Discussion

  • Understanding the impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights
  • How can the UN human rights framework account for corruption-related human rights issues?
  • Do we need to establish a separate human rights pathway/framework to account for the impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights?

Opening Remarks

  • Valentin Zellweger, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the UN in Geneva

Moderation

  • Felix Kirchmeier, Executive Director, Geneva Human Rights Platform and Manager of Policy Studies, Geneva Academy

Panelists

  • Ayuush Bat-Erdene, OHCHR
  • Lazarie Eeckeloo, CCPR Centre
  • Fatima Kanji, International State Crime Initiative
  • Ergun Cakal, Danish Institute Against Torture

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

GHRP at UN in New York News

'Human Rights Data Revolution' Academy Briefing in the International Spotlight

17 July 2024

Our recent Academy Briefing, 'The Human Rights Data Revolution', has garnered significant international recognition in recent months with presentations in Indonesia, Paraguay and at the United Nations in New York.

Read more

GenTRACK Arab States Logo News

In Highlight: GenTRACK Arab States

4 June 2024

Via its DHRTTDs Directory, the Geneva Human Rights Platform provides a comprehensive list and description of such key tools and databases. But how to navigate them? Which tool should be used for what, and by whom? This interview helps us understand better the specificities of the May highlight of the directory: GenTRACK Arab States

Read more

United Nations Geneva Event

Informal Meeting on the Treaty Bodies Harmonization Mechanism

9 December 2024, 09:00-12:30

This open meeting will allow exchanges with states and civil society on the current state of the strengthening process and the 2024 resolution recently passed at the General Assembly.

Read more

Event

Debrief of the Climate Justice Hearings at the International Court of Justice

12 December 2024, 18:30-20:00

Follow up discussion to the first day of the public hearing of the International Court of Justice to unpack key arguments and draw lesson from the hearings.

Read more

54nd session of the Human Rights Council. Training

Executive course for Diplomats: Leading in the Human Rights Council

15-17 January 2025

This executive course, tailored for Geneva-based diplomats and co-organized with the support of the Swiss FDFA, addresses the negotiation practices at the multilateral level, by taking the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council as an example of formal and informal negotiation and decision-making processes by an international intergovernmental body.

Read more

Project

Follow-up Review Pilot Series

Started in November 2021

Read more

Sign: National Human Rights Commission of Nepal Project

Local Implementation of Global Human Rights

Started in May 2020

The Geneva Human Rights Platform collaborates with a series of actors to reflect on the implementation of international human rights norms at the local level and propose solutions to improve uptake of recommendations and decisions taken by Geneva-based human rights bodies at the local level.

Read more

Cover Page of Research Brief Publication

United Nations Treaty Body Individual Communications Procedures: What Is at Stake in the Strengthening Process?

published on October 2024

Claire Callejon

Read more