The theme this year is :The Role of African National Human Rights Institutions in Preventing and Comparing Corruption.
Speaking on the first day of the Forum on the state of The African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, adopted in 2003, AUCPCC among Member States, Ms Martha Munthali Senior Policy Officer AUABC noted that the AUCPCC was adopted among other things, to promote, harmonize the policies & legislation between state parties for purpose of prevention, detection, punishment and eradication of corruption. She went on to say that only 40 African countries had ratified the convention and had hoped that by the end of this year being the Year on Anti Corruption, the 15 would have ratified.
The participants, were drawn from the public and private sectors are discussing the commitment of the various stakeholders in fighting corruption and its negative impact to development and fulfilment of human rights. They also are discussing steps made so far by various governments, good practices for sharing, the state of African NHRIs in the framework of preventing and combating corruption and the way forward. Notably, the Forum discussed the role of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in preventing and combating corruption
The participants, were drawn from the public and private sectors are discussing the commitment of the various stakeholders in fighting corruption and its negative impact to development and fulfilment of human rights. They also are to discuss the steps made so far by various governments, good practices for sharing, the state of African NHRIs in the framework of preventing and combating corruption and the way forward. Notably, the Forum will further deliberate on the role of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in preventing and combating corruption.
Speaking on behalf our Partners GIZ, Ms Karin Pluberg also had the following to say:
Corruption and human rights violations hinder progress in many developing countries; Governments are the primary actors in bravely fighting corruption and putting in place coherent mechanisms.
The role of NHRIs cannot be underestimated in this.
As a link between the public sector and civil society, they play an imminent role in safeguarding human rights and, more specifically, can play a monitoring role.
They can and should contribute to government work by representing the interests of the rights holders and reflect on the performance of the institutions and government policies put in place.
I would therefore like to invite NHRIs to present their reports with a critical eye.
