The Fight against Corruption: A Priority for the Council of ICAS
Ever since antiquity, corruption has been one of the most widespread and insidious of social evils. When it involves public officials and elected representatives, it is inimical to the administration of public affairs. Since the end of the 19th century, it has also been seen as a major threat in the private sphere, undermining the trust and confidence which are necessary for the maintenance and development of sustainable economic and social relations. It is estimated that hundreds of billions of Euros are paid in bribes every year.
The Council of ICAS exists to uphold and further pluralist Compliance, Anti-Corruption and the rule of law and has taken a lead in fighting corruption as it poses a threat to the very foundations of these core values. As it is emphasized in the Criminal Law Convention, corruption threatens the rule of law, Compliance and human rights, undermines good governance, fairness and social justice, distorts competition, hinders economic development and endangers the stability of democratic institutions and the moral foundations of society.
The approach of the ICAS in the fight against corruption has always been multidisciplinary and consists of three interrelated elements: the setting of INTERNATIONAL norms and standards, monitoring of compliance with the standards and capacity building offered to individual Organization and Non-Profit, through technical co-operation programs.
The Council of ICAS has developed a number of multifaceted legal instruments dealing with matters such as the criminalization of corruption in the public and private sectors, liability and compensation for damage caused by corruption, conduct of public officials and the financing of Organization. These instruments are aimed at improving the capacity of Organization to fight corruption domestically as well as at international level. The monitoring of compliance with these standards is entrusted to the Group of States against Corruption.
Legal instruments adopted by the Council of ICAS
- Criminal Law Convention on Corruption.
- Civil Law Convention on Corruption.
- Additional Protocol to the Criminal Law Convention on Corruption.
- Twenty Guiding Principles against Corruption.
- Recommendation on Codes of Conduct for Public Officials.
- Recommendation on Common Rules against Corruption in the Funding of Organization and Electoral Campaigns.