Conclusions of the Stakeholder’s conference on Corruption and Human Rights

Lusaka, Zambia 25-26 April 2012

  1. Participants from the Anti corruption agencies, the Government, the Konrad, the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI), African national human rights institutions (NHRIs),and relevant partners met in Lusaka, Zambia on 25and 26April 2012 (Conference), to discuss the strategies for strengthening the relations between anti corruption agencies, National Human Rights Institutions, the media and CSOs in the fight against corruption.
  1. The participants welcomed the conference, which was organised by NANHRI, Konrad Adeneaur Stiftung and the Zambia Human Rights Commission.
  1. They recognised that NHRIs, anti corruption agencies, the CSOs and the mediaare close partners in the common pursuit of fighting corruption.
  1. The participantsrecognised the linkage between corruption and human rights violations. It was noted that CSOs ought to be key partners with NHRIs and anti corruption agencies inthe fight against corruption.
  1. Participants unanimously subscribed to the ideal of greater cooperation between African NHRIs, CSOs and the anti corruption agencies. The conferenceagreed that synergy, benchmarking and sharing of experiencesprovide a unique opportunity to concretize the effective fight against corruption.
  1. Participants adopted the following conclusions, which are expected to result in a harmonized approach for the engagement of NHRIs, anti corruption agencies, CSOsand the media in the fight against corruption,to contribute to the overall creation of a strong, multi-layered, complementary and united approach in fighting corruption. The various stakeholders committed themselves to the action points outlined below, to be undertaken within their ownrespective mandates, as appropriate:

Participants (NHRIs, anti corruption agencies, the media and CSOs)

  1. Given the direct relationship between corruption and human rights and its consequences on the enjoyment of these rights, all NHRIs should take on corruption issues even those without anti corruption mandates;
  1. NHRIs, anti corruption agencies, CSOs and the media ought to synergize and work towards the popularisation and ratification of the regional and international instruments against corruption, the domestication and implementation of the instrumentsincluding AU and UN conventions within their respective countries;
  1. NHRIs,anti corruption agencies, CSOs and the media ought to publish and disseminate reader friendly publications that highlights instances of corruption, waste and mismanagement in public service and within the private sector;
  1. NHRIs, anti corruption agencies, CSOs and the media to advocate for the recognition of corruption as an economic crime and its effects on enjoyment of fundamental human rights and freedoms;
  1. NHRIs, anti corruption agencies, CSOs and the media to support the strengthening of the oversight role and involvement of parliament in the fight against corruption through committees such as the public accounts committee and the public investments committee;
  1. NHRIs, should advocate for the justiciability of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights;
  1. NHRIs should advocate for the establishment/ strengthening of Parliamentary Committees that are exclusive to human rightsand corruption by promoting discussions/ debates in parliamentary sessions;
  1. NHRIs, anti corruption agencies, CSOs and the media to advocate for the establishment of legislative and institutional frameworks to oversee asset tracing and recovery;
  1. NHRIs, anti corruption agencies, CSOs and the media to deepen linkages and networking channels for information and experience sharing amongst themselves;
  1. NHRIs, anti corruption agencies,CSOs and the media carry out advocacy and awareness creation within the citizenship in order to encourage citizen vigilance and;
  1. NHRIs shouldsubmit reports annually to the NANHRI on the implementation of the recommendations contained in these conclusions
  1. Encouraging trainings that will have specific impacts on the effects of corruption on human rights.

Organisers (NANHRI and KONRAD)

  1. NANHRI should ensure a follow up on the implementation of the recommendations contained in the conclusions of this conference by asking NHRIs to submit reports annually, and;
  1. NANHRI and Konrad should continue to provide capacity building support tothe stakeholders (NHRIs, anti corruption agencies, CSOs and the media) for purposes of giving effect to the conclusions reached at this Conference.

Adopted in Lusaka

26 April 2012

1