Museveni endorses anti-graft treaty
Nov 04, 2003
President Yoweri Museveni (right) was among the first world leaders to adopt the UN Convention against Corruption negotiated at the UN General Assembly recently.
By Alfred Wasike
President Yoweri Museveni (right) was among the first world leaders to adopt the UN Convention against Corruption negotiated at the UN General Assembly recently.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan described it as a landmark.
“I am very happy that we now have a new instrument to address this scourge at the global level.
The adoption of the UN Convention against Corruption sends a clear message that the international community is determined to prevent and control corruption,†he said.
The treaty, due for signing at a conference in Merida, Mexico on December 9-11, requires governments to repatriate stolen assets brought to their jurisdiction by international looters. It will become part of international law, 90 days after the 30th country ratifies it.
The treaty sets out standards, measures and rules for all countries to strengthen their legal and regulatory regimes to fight corruption.
It calls for preventive measures and criminalises corruption.
Urging UN member states to ratify it, Annan said it was “balanced, strong and pragmatic, and offering a new framework for effective action and international cooperation.â€
He said the treaty also reaffirmed the importance of core values, such as honesty, respect for the rule of law, accountability and transparency, in promoting development the world over.
Annan said the new convention was a remarkable achievement, and complemented the UN Convention against cross-border crime, which came into force a month ago.
Annan described corruption as an “insidious plague that corroded social morals.â€
He said it undermined democracy and the rule of law, human rights, distorted markets, eroded the quality of life and encouraged organised crime.
President Yoweri Museveni (right) was among the first world leaders to adopt the UN Convention against Corruption negotiated at the UN General Assembly recently.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan described it as a landmark.
“I am very happy that we now have a new instrument to address this scourge at the global level.
The adoption of the UN Convention against Corruption sends a clear message that the international community is determined to prevent and control corruption,†he said.
The treaty, due for signing at a conference in Merida, Mexico on December 9-11, requires governments to repatriate stolen assets brought to their jurisdiction by international looters. It will become part of international law, 90 days after the 30th country ratifies it.
The treaty sets out standards, measures and rules for all countries to strengthen their legal and regulatory regimes to fight corruption.
It calls for preventive measures and criminalises corruption.
Urging UN member states to ratify it, Annan said it was “balanced, strong and pragmatic, and offering a new framework for effective action and international cooperation.â€
He said the treaty also reaffirmed the importance of core values, such as honesty, respect for the rule of law, accountability and transparency, in promoting development the world over.
Annan said the new convention was a remarkable achievement, and complemented the UN Convention against cross-border crime, which came into force a month ago.
Annan described corruption as an “insidious plague that corroded social morals.â€
He said it undermined democracy and the rule of law, human rights, distorted markets, eroded the quality of life and encouraged organised crime.