Connecting the dots: human rights and anti-corruption
According to Transparency International, of the $8.5 trillion spent annually on health services worldwide, around 7% is lost due to fraud and corruption. This amounts to $560 billion being diverted each year, undermining access to care and the fundamental right to health. This figure far exceeds the estimated annual shortfall of $370 billion needed to achieve universal health coverage by 2030.
Corruption fuels mistrust in institutions, exacerbates inequalities, and fosters human rights violations. In this context, international human rights protection mechanisms, such as the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), play a vital role in the fight against corruption. According to an analysis conducted by Betina Pasteknik, Head of Operations of the UNCAC Coalition, since the inception of the UPR, the term 'corruption' has only been mentioned 700 times in the recommendations — representing just 0.6% of the total number of recommendations. In addition, many of these recommendations remain vague, making follow-up and implementation difficult.
To address this, the UNCAC Coalition and UPR Info have developed a guide for anti-corruption advocates. "Bridging anti corruption and human rights efforts" offers practical, accessible steps for CSOs to engage in the UPR process.
The guide emphasizes that the UPR offers several entry points for civil society to engage effectively, using it as a tool to support national advocacy and hold States accountable for their commitments to fighting corruption — including through the submission of reports, suggesting relevant and action oriented recommendations and initiatives to follow-up on implementation.
“Their proximity to affected communities enables them to raise overlooked issues and advocate for concrete reforms. By engaging in the UPR, anti-corruption organizations gain a new platform to shape national and international agendas,” said Nicoletta Zappile, Deputy Director of UPR Info.
This guide was launched during the side event Connecting the Dots: Human Rights and Anti-Corruption in Practice, held on 19 June 2025 in collaboration with the group of States sponsoring the resolution on the negative impact of corruption on human rights, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Transparency International, and the UNCAC Coalition. The event highlighted the synergies between the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and the UPR, providing concrete tools and sharing experiences aimed at linking anti-corruption efforts with human rights advocacy.
H.E. Omar Zniber, Morocco's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, said: "Effective policies to prevent and combat corruption are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030," and he added that "States carry the primary responsibility to prevent and remedy human rights violations arising from corruption."
A resolution led by Morocco on behalf of a group of States including Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Poland, the United Kingdom, and Ecuador will be considered during the 59th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC). This initiative aims to clarify States’ procedural and substantive obligations, building on the work of the Council and its advisory committee.
Among the best practices presented, the OHCHR cited its partnership in Iraq with the National Integrity Commission, which raises awareness among public actors and civil society about the links between corruption and human rights. It also organizes regional workshops to strengthen the use of UN mechanisms in the fight against corruption. One such workshop was recently held in Banjul, The Gambia, in partnership with the NHRI, bringing together representatives from African human rights institutions, anti-corruption bodies, regional civil society, and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to strengthen intersectoral cooperation.
Morocco highlighted progress included in its national strategy, particularly through the 2011 Constitution, which provides for laws against conflicts of interest, insider trading, and financial offenses, as well as the creation of the National Authority for Integrity, Prevention, and the Fight Against Corruption. Ecuador, for its part, presented its 2024–2028 national plan, emphasizing transparency in public procurement, ethics in public service, citizen participation, and protection of civic space, whistleblowers, and human rights defenders.
Strengthening cooperation between human rights mechanisms and anti-corruption mechanisms is essential. Andrea Rocca, Advocacy Manager at Transparency International, recalled that drawing inspiration from best practices of UN human rights bodies could improve transparency, citizen participation, and the real impact of anti-corruption policies.
The Implementation Review Mechanism (IRM) is the official peer-review process established under the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), the only legally binding global instrument on anti-corruption. It allows for the assessment of the Convention’s implementation, identification of gaps, sharing of best practices, and access to technical assistance. Each State is reviewed by two countries with support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
While the UNCAC’s Implementation Review Mechanism (IRM) is a key tool, it has limitations in terms of transparency, civil society participation, and accountability. The UPR does not replace it but complements and strengthens it.
As Betina Pasteknik emphasized, by engaging in both processes, civil society organizations can drive deeper reforms and foster a fairer governance system. She encouraged the strategic use of the UPR stressing the importance of SMART recommendations (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) to ensure effective follow-up.