Armenia and Its international Commitments in the Fight against Corruption

During the regular lesson of the Anti-Corruption School for Young Leaders, the participants discussed the functions of international organizations in the fight against corruption, their recommendations to Armenia, and Armenia’s commitments.

Mr. Narek Yenokyan, an anti-corruption expert at the Armenian Lawyers’ Association, conducted the lesson.

The UN Convention Against Corruption is considered as a starting point in the fight against corruption. It is worth noting that   the UN Convention Against Corruption is the first internationally accepted document that enables member states to pursue a common fight against corruption. The second chapter of the above-mentioned Convention on the Return of Stolen Assets from the States is worth mentioning. According to the speaker, the Armenian authorities can apply the same convention in returning assets stolen from the Republic of Armenia.

In his speech, Narek Yenokyan referred to important documents such as the Jakarta Declaration on the Principles of Anti-Corruption Agencies and Kuala Lumpur’s Statement on Anti-Corruption Strategies. He presented the function of each of the organizations that have a serious role in the fight against corruption for Armenia.

Among the most prestigious international anti-corruption agencies are the Office for Combating Crime (UNODC), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development of Eastern Europe and Central Asia (OECD), the Council of Europe’s Greco Group (GRECO) and others.

Narek Yenokyan noted that the simply ratification of international treaties is not a sufficient condition for an effective fight against corruption. According to him, it is also necessary to have a political or an institutionalized system in order to achieve tangible success in the fight against corruption.

“The Armenian Lawyers’ Association” NGO is organizing the Anti-Corruption School for Young Leaders in cooperation with the Armenian CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition.

Iravaban.net independent information website is the information partner of the Anti-Corruption School for Young Leaders.