Monday, November 18, 2024 at 6:42 p.m.
Geneva – The disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic have amplified the “already devastating” effects of corruption, the president of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) said on Monday in Geneva. Ambassador Omar Zniber.
Chairing an expert seminar on economic, social and cultural rights and the fight against corruption in the context of post-pandemic recovery, Mr. Zniber stressed that this global health crisis has highlighted the vulnerabilities of our societies, particularly in the most marginalized communities, where corruption exacerbates poverty, inequality and the denial of basic services.
“Corruption is, without a doubt, one of the most significant challenges that continues to drag our societies down,” he said, adding that in addition to its even more disastrous impact on women, young people and all vulnerable people, this scourge worsens inequalities and reduces private investment, undermining markets, employment opportunities and economies.
For the president of the CDH, this seminar “reminds us that the impact of corruption is not only a question of politics or economic management, but that it is indeed, fundamentally, a question of human rights”.
In light of these realities, the HRC continues to actively engage in advancing the understanding of the links between corruption and human rights, he recalled, noting that the protection of civil and political rights, as well as economic, social and cultural rights, requires States to engage in the prevention of corruption and the adoption of effective anti-corruption frameworks.
Fighting corruption requires more than legal frameworks; it requires political will and, above all, the commitment of all segments of society, he insisted, adding that protecting the rights of civil society, whistleblowers, anti-corruption activists, journalists and legal professionals is equally crucial in providing them with a safe and conducive environment for their work.
Furthermore, Mr. Zniber, also Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United Nations Office in Geneva, reaffirmed that “the equal promotion of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural was one of his main priorities throughout the Moroccan presidency” of the HRC.
He recalled having repeatedly stressed the importance of addressing the interconnection of climate change, food security, health and human rights, as well as the implications of new technologies and the digital divide on the enjoyment of fundamental human rights.
These issues are closely linked to today’s theme, corruption, which highlights the cross-cutting nature of these challenges, he concluded, calling for collaboration with international financial institutions to combat it.
This seminar, at which Morocco was represented by Mr. Rachid Medouar, vice-president of the National Authority for Integrity, Prevention and Fight against Corruption (INPPLC), aims to deepen the understanding of the link between corruption and realization of economic, social and cultural rights.
Held in accordance with HRC Resolution 53/17, it provides an opportunity to share best practices, review past achievements and challenges, and explore innovative solutions to ensure that anti-corruption efforts are more effective. effectively linked to the protection of human rights, particularly in the context of post-pandemic recovery.
