Conference Highlights Anti-Corruption Efforts in Latin America

  
On May 16-18, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) hosted a conference on transparency and development in Latin America and the Caribbean in Washington, D.C. The specific objective of the conference was to "inform the international community of Latin American initiatives-both at the national and regional levels-to reduce corruption." Participants included representatives of NGOs such as Transparency International and the Inter-American Federation of Lawyers, OAS and IDB officials, and envoys from many countries, including the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica and El Salvador. Among the major themes addressed were transparency in legislative proceedings, so-called "integrity pacts" (whereby state officials pledge not to accept or offer bribes), and the OAS's Inter-American Convention Against Corruption.

Citing the negative image many South Americans have of their legislatures, Brazil discussed its own "electronic democracy" project. The idea involves creating a virtual legislature on the Internet to enable citizens to get closer to the political process. In the next three years, approximately 2,500 municipalities will be connected to the system, allowing more active citizen participation in Congress, municipal legislative councils and state assemblies.

The conference participants agreed that integrity pacts should remain voluntary, to prevent them from becoming pro forma. They noted also that should the pacts become a requirement, officials would have an ethical obligation to denounce colleagues they suspected of irregular behavior. Transparency International has been involved in implementing such pacts in Colombia, and part of their success has been due to that organization's reputation for political independence.

Discussion of the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption centered on the comments of Enrique Lagos, OAS Assistant Secretary for Legal Affairs. He noted that transnational crime is on the rise, and has already affected the region's economies and financial systems. Giving the convention the status of an international treaty, he argued, would better enforce compliance with its terms. He called for all OAS member countries to sign and ratify the convention and implement its mandatory requirements, although he acknowledged the obstacles to this process. Among these, Lagos listed the lack of information and clear analysis of the progress member countries have made toward compliance.

The conference succeeded in highlighting Latin American efforts to combat corruption, but it was clear that efforts among different countries must be better coordinated. An important first step will be agreement on a model to monitor implementation of the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption. Such an agreement is due to be signed at the OAS General Assembly meeting in Windsor, Canada next month.

For more information, see www.iadb.org/leg/transparencia.asp