Corruption as a Serious Inhibitor to Human Rights Realisation: A Response from the UN Human Rights Committee

Abstract

The article first briefly discusses the negative impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights, particularly civil and political rights, and States parties’ obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to then focus on a critical analysis of the UN Human Rights Committee’s practice (HRC), demonstrating that corruption is no longer only occasionally mentioned within differently focused substantive paragraphs of concluding observations, but features prominently, often as a standalone separate concern, followed by specific and detailed recommendations. Such development signals the recognition by the HRC of important interlinkages between corruption and serious effects on a number of ICCPR’s rights. The conclusion offers some thoughts on possible evolution on the issue within the HRC, with the objective of ensuring full realisation and enjoyment of civil and political human rights.