OSCE Secretary General Zannier presents OSCE Handbook on Combating Corruption

VIENNA, 3 June 2016 – OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier presented today the OSCE Handbook on Combating Corruption, which outlines an array of measures for preventing and combating corruption related to economic, legal and human rights issues.

“Corruption threatens security and stability by undermining the rule of law, eroding democratic institutions and blocking social and economic development,” said Zannier. “This new handbook will help national policy-makers and anti-corruption practitioners to be better equipped to prevent and combat this crime against the public good.”

The OSCE Handbook provides an overview of standards and instruments promoted by major international players in the anti-corruption field. Key topics covered include: the role of the judiciary, political party funding, regulating lobbying, protecting human rights in anti-corruption investigations, and building integrity in the public sector and anti-corruption initiatives in the private sector.

Zannier stressed the importance of instituting fair and transparent processes for public procurement, a sector particularly vulnerable to corruption. “Corruption in public procurement often results in shoddy public works and erodes trust in government among citizens and businesses alike. The most effective way to prevent abuse of public procurement is to introduce fair and transparent procedures with strong oversight and corruption prevention mechanisms,” said Zannier.   

Candice Welsch from the UNODC Corruption and Economic Crime Branch said: “The Handbook addresses a number of important areas in the prevention of corruption that will be a useful tool for States parties as they prepare for the second cycle of the Implementation Review Mechanism to the United Nations Convention against Corruption.”

The handbook is designed to raise awareness of the range of international instruments available to fight corruption, and to serve as a resource for developing and implementing effective anti-corruption policies and measures that can help reduce instability and transnational crime.

The handbook was produced by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities in co-operation with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the UN Commission on International Trade Law, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Council of Europe/Group of States against Corruption and other partners.