GOPAC Calls on International Community to Prosecute Corruption Perpetrators

Ottawa, 4 March 2013, GOPAC.

Legislators from around the world have resolved to seek the adoption of global legal instruments to enable the international community to pursue and prosecute the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of corruption. The resolution was a key part of the Declaration adopted at the Fifth Global Conference of Parliamentarians Against Corruption, in Manila, Philippines, 31 January to 2 February 2013.

The Manila Declaration also called for the promotion of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), enforceable codes of ethics and conduct over parliamentarians themselves, and broader participation from all segments of society in the fight against corruption. The Declaration embraced GOPAC’s five Global Task Forces (GTFs), which cover the UNCAC, anti-money laundering, parliamentary ethics and conduct, parliamentary oversight, and participation of society, as well as the women’s parliamentary network.

“A successful fight against corruption requires the cooperation of legislators and partner organizations around the world,” said new GOPAC Chair Senator Edgardo J. Angara of the Philippines. “Through our Conference Declaration, we are urging the international community to take an active part in bringing the corrupt to justice and protect the rights and well-being of peoples.”

This was the most successful and well-attended Global Conference since GOPAC’s inception, with over 500 legislators and representatives from NGOs and civil society groups gathering at the Philippines International Conference Center in Manila, Philippines. The Global Conference is a biennial event that brings together parliamentarians and international institutions to advance the fight against corruption.

“We congratulate the South East Asian Parliamentarians Against Corruption for putting together an excellent conference, and thank the Philippine government for its warm hospitality,” said out-going GOPAC Chair Dr. Naser Al Sane.

GOPAC is a worldwide alliance of parliamentarians working together to combat corruption, strengthen good government, and uphold the rule of law. Based in Ottawa, Canada, GOPAC has 53 national chapters on 5 continents. GOPAC supports its members’ efforts through original research, global anti-corruption capacity building, and international peer support. Visit GOPAC on the web at gopacnetwork.org and on Twitter at twitter.com/GOPAC_Eng.

» Read the article on the GOPAC website