AFRICA MUST FIGHT CORRUPTION TO ENSURE ECONOMIC RECOVERY, DIRECTOR OF UN REGIONAL CRIME INSTITUTE SAYS
Press Release
AFR/121
SOC/NAR/791
AFRICA MUST FIGHT CORRUPTION TO ENSURE ECONOMIC RECOVERY, DIRECTOR OF UN REGIONAL CRIME INSTITUTE SAYS
19981218 KAMPALA, 18 December (UN Information Service) -- "Africa is on the receiving end of the worst consequences of organized and economic crime." That comment was made today by Isam Abugideri, Director of the Kampala-based United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFRI), stressing the potential value of a convention against transnational organized crime, currently being prepared by the United Nations.Fighting corruption, he said, was one of the top priorities for the region, where economic development and living standards could be drastically affected by such criminal conduct as bribery, price-fixing, smuggling and currency offenses. A recent regional United Nations meeting on crime issues had sent a "clear message" on that point, he added.
The African Regional Preparatory Meeting for the Tenth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders -- held here last week -- had declared that the "root causes of corruption have to be addressed, and the political will to combat it has to be accompanied by instruments designed to bring the perpetrators to justice".
Government representatives attending that meeting had noted that "the high economic and political status of perpetrators of corrupt practices and the circumstances under which such crimes are committed make law enforcement agencies relatively powerless, decreasing the likelihood of the perpetrators being reported or prosecuted". Delegates had stressed that "transparency, good governance and an independent judicial system" were vital for ensuring the rule of law and economic regeneration in Africa.
A South African delegate who attended the meeting said the countries of Africa also want more attention on the international disarmament agenda for the problem of arms trafficking, which was a "well-rooted and highly profitable illegal business in Africa". The regional meeting, she said, had seen a need for programmes for the collection and destruction of firearms and reward schemes using development projects.
The Tenth United Nations Crime Congress will be held in Vienna from 10 to 17 April 2000. Regional preparatory meetings have taken place in Bangkok, for the Asia-Pacific region, and in Beirut, for Western Asia. A further preparatory meeting will be held in San Jose, Costa Rica, early next year. * *** *