OSCE official launches research publication on corruption in Armenia

YEREVAN, 28 September 2001 (OSCE) - A new book on corruption as a complex phenomenon in society has been launched by the OSCE Office in Yerevan, Armenia. The author of the publication is Stepan Tsaghikian, head of the expert group of the Standing Committee on Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs on the elaboration of anti-corruption legislation in Armenia.

The research presented in the book is the summary of the author's scientific and practical studies on the concept of corruption. It discusses possible causes and consequences and provides solutions to some of the problems. The research in particular gives a picture of social, economic and political pre-conditions that favor corruption in Armenia, and also analyzes its criminal and legal aspects, peculiarities of bribery, social and legislative means of corruption prevention, as well as introducing basic principles for effective elaboration and implementation of a Code of Conduct. Special attention is devoted to the role of civil society and opportunities granted by international co-operation through various agreements in combating corruption.

The book also proposes an Armenian national program for the combat of corruption, as well as a model draft law on corruption prevention for public review. The text includes a synopsis of a number of international documents related to corruption to raise public awareness on the internationally accepted norms and principles. These include the Council of Europe Criminal Law Convention on Corruption (27 January 1999), the Council of Europe Civil Law Convention on Corruption (draft, 6 May, 1999), the European Union directive on Prevention of Financial Systems Use for Money Washing (91/308/EEC), and the Code of Conduct prepared by the Independent Commission to Combat Corruption in New South Wales, Australia.

The publication, which was prepared with the financial support from the British Government, is mainly directed at lawyers, economists, representatives of law enforcement bodies, civil servants, and students, as well as the general public with an interest in the subject.

The OSCE Office in Yerevan is co-ordinating an international task force to combat corruption in Armenia. The group is represented by the World Bank, the International Monteary Fund, the United Nations Development Programme, European the Commission, Swiss Aid Agency, as well as the British, German, French, United States, Russian, and Italian Embassies. Its main objective is to assist the Government of Armenia in working out a detailed strategy and its implementation in combating corruption.

The OSCE Office in Yerevan was established in February 2000 to promote the implementation of OSCE principles and commitments as well as the co-operation of the Republic of Armenia within the OSCE framework, in all OSCE dimensions, including the human, political, economic and environmental aspects of security and stability.

--

For further information please contact Ms. Gohar Avagyan, Information Officer, OSCE Office in Yerevan, tel.: +374 1 54 10 62, +374 1 54 58 45; e-mail: gohar@osce.am.