Event information

18 September 2017, 12:15-14:00

Downloads

Flyer >

Side Event and Book Presentation: Fighting Corruption with a Human Rights-Based Approach

Event

Caravana por la Transparencia Caravana por la Transparencia

Logo of Bolivia

Corruption has been recognized throughout the United Nations (UN) system as one of the main challenges to sustainable development and the realization of human rights.

The Human Rights Council (HRC) recognized that ‘transparent, responsible, accountable, open and participatory government, responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people, is the foundation on which good governance rests, and that such a foundation is one of the indispensable conditions for the full realization of human rights’.

Additionally, as the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) finds, in recent years, a number of international documents signed under the auspices of both the UN and regional organizations have acknowledged the negative effects of corruption on the protection of human rights and on development.

UN human rights mechanisms are increasingly mindful of the negative impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights and consequently of the importance of effective anti-corruption measures. The HRC and its Special Rapporteurs and Universal Periodic Review Mechanism, as well as human rights treaty monitoring bodies (notably the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Committee on the Rights of the Child) addressed issues of corruption and human rights on numerous occasions.

Experiences and best practices at the national level can show the opportunities that exist in the promotion of transparency and the fight against corruption for the protection of human rights through the construction of institutionality.

In this side event panelists will:

  • Present the book ‘Construction of Institutionality’
  • Address the conceptual relationship between human rights, good governance and anti-corruption
  • Discuss the negative impact of corruption on human rights, especially the rights of children
  • Provide guidance and make practical recommendations for effectively using human rights mechanisms in anti-corruption efforts and vice-versa.

 Moderation

  • Felix Kirchmeier, Manager of Policy Studies, Geneva Academy

Panelists

  • Ambassador Nardi Suxo Iturry: Presentation of the book ‘Construction of Institutionality’ and example of the Bolivian Ministry on transparency and the fight against corruption
  • Renate Winter, Chairperson of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC): Experiences of the CRC on the plight of corruption for children
  • Richard Lapper, Human Rights Officer at OHCHR, currently Visiting Researcher at the Geneva Academy: Possibilities and limits of a human rights based approach to fighting corruption
  • Martin Zapata, International Anti-Corruption Academy: Collective Action as an alternative mechanism against corruption

 Interpretation

Interpretation in Spanish – English will be provided.

 Sandwiches and Light Refreshments

Sandwiches and light refreshments will be served ahead of the side event, from 12:00 to 12:15

 

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

Human Rights Tiles News

From Signals to Action: Strengthening the UN's Conflict Prevention Efforts

31 March 2025

Our recent research brief series explores how the United Nations' human rights system can enhance its role in early warning and conflict prevention.

Read more

ECHR Logo News

In Highlight: ECHR Knowledge Sharing Platform

13 May 2025

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 current highlight of the directory: ECHR Knowledge Sharing Platform

Read more

Enforced Disappearances Event

'Short-term' Enforced Disappearances

23 September 2025, 13:00-14:00

This side event will bring together stakeholders to discuss the growing concerning recurrence to short-term enforced disappearances worldwide, and the challenges they pose for victims and accountability.

Read more

Event

Strengthening international labour rights and UN human rights standards: The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and Freedom of Association

23 September 2025, 18:30-21:00

This open discussion will consider the strengthening of international labour rights and human rights standards with focus on freedom of association.

Read more

Town Hall Meeting Training

Localizing International Human Rights

8-10 October 2025

This training course, specifically designed for staff of city and regional governments, will explore the means and mechanisms through which local and regional governments can interact with and integrate the recommendations of international human rights bodies in their concrete work at the local level.

Read more

A general view of participants during of the 33nd ordinary session of the Human Rights Council. Training

The Universal Periodic Review and the UN Human Rights System: Raising the Bar on Accountability

10-14 November 2025

This training course will explore the origin and evolution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its functioning in Geneva and will focus on the nature of implementation of the UPR recommendations at the national level.

Read more

Online folders Project

Digital Human Rights Tracking Tools and Databases

Started in March 2023

This initiative wishes to contribute to better and more coordinated implementation, reporting and follow-up of international human rights recommendations through a global study on digital human rights tracking tools and databases.

Read more

Plastic pollution on an Italian shore Project

Unpacking the Human Right to a Healthy Environment: Definition, Implementation and Impact

Started in January 2022

This research aims at mainstreaming the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment and the protection it affords in the work of the UN Human Rights Council, its Special Procedures and Universal Periodic Review, as well as in the work of the UN General Assembly and UN treaty bodies.

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2024

published on July 2025

Read more

Cover of the publication Publication

Briefing N° 25: Localizing Multilateralism

published on March 2025

Domenico Zipoli, Ludovica Chiussi Curzi, Kamelia Kemileva

Read more