A/HRC/RES/41/9
Recognizing that improvements in the promotion and protection of human rights at
the domestic level have a central role to play in the prevention of and the fight against
corruption at all levels,
Recognizing also that good governance, democracy and the rule of law, and the
promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to
seek, receive and impart information, the right to take part in the conduct of public affairs
and the right to a fair trial before a competent, independent and impartial court, established
by law, are essential in domestic efforts to prevent and fight against corruption,
Highlighting the global character of corruption and the consequential need for
international cooperation to prevent and suppress corruption and to recover assets of illicit
origin derived from acts of corruption,
Recognizing the increasing awareness in the international community of the
detrimental impact of widespread corruption on human rights through both the weakening of
institutions and the erosion of public trust in government, and through the impairment of the
ability of Governments to fulfil all their human rights obligations and to realize, within the
maximum available resources, the Sustainable Development Goals,
Recognizing also the importance of creating a safe and enabling environment, in law
and in practice, for civil society, whistle-blowers, witnesses, anti-corruption activists,
journalists, prosecutors, lawyers and judges, and of protecting these individuals from any
threats arising from their activities in preventing and fighting against corruption,
Recognizing further that independent media and a diverse and pluralistic media
landscape play an important role in ensuring transparency and scrutiny, which includes
reporting on, investigating and exposing corruption and increasing public awareness of the
link between corruption and human rights violations,
Underlining the importance of an independent and impartial judiciary, an independent
legal profession, objective and impartial prosecution and the integrity of the judicial system
to prevent and fight corruption and to address its negative impact on human rights, in line
with the rule of law and the right to a fair trial, to access to justice and to an effective remedy,
without discrimination,
Emphasizing that human rights education and awareness-raising campaigns and other
measures are important enablers for the prevention of and the fight against corruption,
Acknowledging that the State should protect against any adverse human rights impact
arising from acts of corruption involving non-State actors, including the private sector,
through effective regulatory and investigative mechanisms, with a view to holding
perpetrators to account, recovering assets of illicit origin derived from acts of corruption and
providing redress to victims,
Recalling the obligation of States parties to the United Nations Convention against
Corruption to implement policies in accordance with article 5 of the Convention with a view
to fighting corruption, and inviting States to address the prevention and effect of corruption
in the development of relevant national plans of action, including plans on business and
human rights,
Highlighting that States shall, in accordance with their respective legal systems,
endeavour to establish and promote effective practices aimed at the prevention of corruption
and its impact on the enjoyment of human rights, and to periodically evaluate relevant legal
instruments and administrative measures with a view to determining their adequacy to
prevent and fight corruption, including by ensuring transparency, access to public
information, accountability, non-discrimination and meaningful participation in the conduct
of public affairs,
Observing that corruption frequently results in discriminatory access to public
services and goods, and renders those in vulnerable situations more prone to adversely
suffering from the negative social and environmental impact of economic activities,
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