Www.againstcorruption.org A Global Unions Anti-corruption Network UNICORN: A Global Unions Anti-Corruption Network Role of Civil Society GLOBAL FORUM V

www.againstcorruption.org

A Global Unions Anti-corruption Network

UNICORN: A Global Unions Anti-Corruption Network

Role of Civil SocietyGLOBAL FORUM V ON FIGHTING CORRUPTION AND

SAFEGUARDING INTEGRITY2nd April 2007


role of civil society

aimaim

• Use the framework of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) to identify the role of civil society organisations, including trade unions.


role of civil society

structurestructure

• United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)

• Coalition of Civil Society Friends of UNCAC• UNICORN and the Role of Trade Unions • Protection of Whistleblowers


role of civil societyUnited Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)

• Came into force on the 14th December 2005• First global legal anti-corruption framework • New international standard/new opportunities


role of civil societyUnited Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)Civil Society• (Arts. 9, 10, 13) UNCAC requires governments to enhance

transparency in public procurement and public administration, recommending steps such as public access to information on decision-making processes, and promoting civil society participation in the fight against corruption.

• (Arts. 51-59) UNCAC requires states to take steps to support the return of confiscated funds to the requesting state, or legitimate owner, and the payment of compensation to the victims of corruption.

• (Art. 26) UNCAC requires states to establish criminal, civil or administrative liability for companies.


role of civil societyUnited Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)Trade Unions (Arts. 8 and 9) UNCAC seeks to prevent public sector

corruption: establish recruitment systems based on transparency, merit and adequate pay; provide education and training, especially to employees in posts vulnerable to corruption; and adopt codes of conduct.

(Art. 33) UNCAC requests states to incorporate protection from retaliation, for those who report UNCAC offences, into their domestic legal systems.


role of civil societyUnited Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)

• UNCAC gives civil society a clear mandate

• First Session of the Conference of the States Parties, Dead Sea, Dec. 2006: Opening Speech “Let’s Make History at the Dead Sea”, UNODC Executive Director, Antonio Maria Costa:

• “The UN Convention against Corruption was negotiated, signed and ratified by governments. But it belongs to all people”


role of civil societyCoalition of Civil Society Friends of UNCAC

• Civil society organisations from 30 countries attended first COSP in Jordan: – monitoring/lobbying

– newsletters reporting progress/failures

– joint civil society statement



Two Achievements:• Clear message: “UNCAC belongs to us” • laid foundations for future work:

– International/national

– Formally/informally (supported by transparency)



International – Formal:

• Submission and consideration of inputs into the work of the various Working Groups (Monitoring, Asset Recovery, Technical Assistance)

• Provisions for the submission of alternative reports (thematic/country) by CSOs directly to the international monitoring body.

• Consultation with non-governmental actors incorporated into the design of the international monitoring system

• Participation of CSOs in Conferences of the States Parties


role of civil societyCoalition of Civil Society Friends of UNCACInternational

– Informal:• Sharing Information• Developing and testing tools (e.g. Country Gap

Analysis)• Convening working groups on issues of relevance

to civil society, such as harassment• Joint campaigning


role of civil societyCoalition of Civil Society Friends of UNCAC • National:

– Formal:– Formal consultations with government – Formal input to the reporting process– Participation in expert groups created by

governments to shadow the thematic working groups of the COSP, where these correspond to national priorities (e.g., monitoring, asset recovery, TA)



• National: – Informal:

• Monitoring

• Awareness-raising

• Campaigning

• Research on thematic issues



Aims

• Mobilise broad global civil society Coalition on UNCAC and UNCAC follow up issues

• Facilitate strong civil society action at national and international level in support of UNCAC ratification, implementation and monitoring

Further Information/To Join: Gillian Dell: [email protected] Kirstine Drew: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


role of civil society UNICORN

• What: A Global Unions Anti-corruption Network supported by the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD, Public Services International, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)

• Aims: mobilise trade unions to combat corruption• Rationale: public sector integrity/whistleblower protection

• Activities: monitoring multinational companies and

bribery; policy research; advocacy/campaigning; supporting trade unions in combating corruption.


role of civil society trade unionscharacteristics• Trade unique role: dual function

– Public and private sector workers representatives – (Mass) members of civil society

• Other Characteristics– Globally connected/financially independent

• Overlap: – anti-corruption agenda – trade unions’ core activities as negotiators on behalf of workers and as

campaigners for democracy/social reform/corporate accountability


role of civil society trade unions

Philippines: Public Services

“Corruption is much more than a bread and butter issue like working conditions and salaries…whilst these are important, in our context the moral issue which is having honest efficient and functioning government offices is the overwhelming major issue for citizens.”

Annie Geron, General Secretary


role of civil society trade unions

• PSLINK:– Hotline for public sector workers to report corruption

– Produced an anti-graft/corruption tool-kit

– Training members for public procurement watch

– Exposing high level corruption • Collective v individual risk


role of civil society protect whistleblowers

“There is evidence from all regions of the world that civil society activists have a crucial role in promoting transparency and accountability. They need to be supported and protected. We note with deep concern that in many countries activists and others who report or denounce corruption are harassed, physically attacked or prosecuted.

We welcome the commitments made under UNCAC to protect all whistleblowers. We call on governments to incorporate protection from retaliation, for those who report corruption, under their domestic legal systems.”

(Statement of the Coalition of Civil Society Friends of UNCAC 13th December 2006)

Documents

Www.againstcorruption.org A Global Unions Anti-corruption Network UNICORN: A Global Unions Anti-Corruption Network Role of Civil Society GLOBAL FORUM V