KITUO CHA SHERIA BLOG

“Article 13 – Each State Party shall take appropriate measures to promote the active participation of individuals and groups outside the public sector, such as civil society, non-governmental organizations and community based organizations in the prevention and fight against corruption…..” – UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION AGAINST CORRUPTION (UNCAC).

The above stated article of the UNCAC explicitly recognizes the need for greater participation of civil society in the fight against corruption. Kituo cha Sheria is committed to promoting the ratification, implementation and monitoring of the UNCAC as it mirrors the core values, mandate, mission and vision of Kituo which are all anchored on transparency and accountability.

It is on the backdrop of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) – which is the only legally binding global instrument in the fight against corruption, that Kituo cha Sheria through our Mombasa Regional office staff – Ms. Anastasia Nabukenya is participating as an observer in the Sixth session of the Conference of the State Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption. The convention is being held at the Len Expo Complex; St Petersburg, Russian Federation and began yesterday 2 November 2015, and will run until the 6^th of November 2015.

The convention opening remarks by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Executive Director heavily focused on linking the fight against corruption to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s). Corruption was cited as the single greatest obstacle to sustainable development. Notable was the specific  reference to Goal sixteen which recognizes the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies, access to justice for all and building of effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels are essential to attaining sustainable development outcomes. SDG 16 is at the heart of Kituo cha Sheria’s daily quest and greater vision of a society of equity and justice for all. It was a great delight to further note the emphasis on the fundamental nature of the scope of SDG 16 on the fight against corruption.

The next four days promises to further strengthen the efforts on the global fight against corruption. The draft resolutions are said to be laying emphasis on asset recovery, preventive measures, the need for partnership between the public and private sectors in preventing and fighting corruption; enhancing the use of civil and administrative proceedings; the use of information technology; and addressing the specific needs of small island developing states. There are also high level side events taking place that are focused on combating corruption to stop wildlife and forest crime, as well as the illicit trafficking and sale of stolen cultural property; engaging the business sector and young people in the fight against corruption; countering corruption and bribery in support of Agenda 2030; advancing stolen asset recovery and the development of effective anti-corruption strategies; protecting whistle-blowers; and fighting corruption through open data and through education, along with a host of other important topics.

By Anastasia Nabukenya,

Mombasa office- Kituo Cha Sheria