Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – October 1-2, 2024 – In a significant gathering, representatives from nine countries, including Timor-Leste, convened in Kuala Lumpur for the “Regional Dialogue on Corruption and Human Rights.” The event featured notable participants, including Rigoberto Monteiro, Deputy Ombudsman for Good Governance; José Luis Oliveira, Director of AJAR; Lizia de Carvalho Soares, representative of CAC; and Eurosia Maria Marques Doutel Sarmento, representative of the Secretary of State for Equality.

This dialogue aimed to reinforce the interconnections between anti-corruption initiatives and the promotion of human rights, emphasizing the urgent need for collaborative efforts to combat corruption while ensuring the protection of human rights across the region.

The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), the only legally binding international anti-corruption instrument, served as the foundation for discussions. As the guardian of the Convention, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) emphasized its holistic approach to tackling corruption through prevention, enforcement, and international cooperation. Attendees underscored the critical role of governments, the private sector, and civil society in addressing this issue.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) presented its commitment to integrating human rights into anti-corruption efforts, advocating for increased awareness and engagement on these vital issues. The dialogue reaffirmed the recognition that corruption can undermine access to basic services and exacerbate poverty and inequality, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities.

In a political declaration from June 2021, Member States acknowledged the mutually reinforcing relationship between anti-corruption and human rights. They pledged to combat corruption in a manner consistent with their obligations to uphold human rights, justice, and the rule of law.

The Conference of the States Parties to UNCAC reiterated the importance of societal participation in combating corruption. It called on states to implement effective policies that empower individuals and groups outside the public sector to contribute to anti-corruption efforts, thereby enhancing accountability.

Key outcomes from the dialogue included commitments to:

–          Develop policies that uphold the right to information in line with UNCAC and UN human rights instruments.

–          Raise awareness of whistle-blower protection mechanisms.

–          Strengthen the independence and effectiveness of institutions tasked with investigating and prosecuting corruption-related offenses.

–          Establish specialized funds from confiscated assets to support human rights initiatives.

As part of the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, UNODC pledged to mainstream human rights in its anti-corruption programming, highlighting the essential link between these two crucial areas.

This Regional Dialogue marks a significant step toward advancing coordinated efforts to combat corruption while protecting and promoting human rights in the region, laying the groundwork for a more equitable and just society.