Regional dialogue on corruption and human rights
Human rights and anti-corruption: mutually reinforcing drivers to advance regional efforts
1-2 October 2024
The Southeast Asia Regional Dialogue on Anti-Corruption and Human Rights, focusing on recommendations by HRM and the UNCAC IRM, was organized by SEARO jointly with UNODC on 1 and 2 October in Kuala Lumpur. The regional dialogue brought together over 50 representatives of Anti-CorruptionCommissions, NHRIs, experts and civil society organizations (working both on the fight against corruption and human tights) from 8 countries across Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Thailand, Lao PDR, Philippines, Timor-Leste, Cambodia, Malaysia, Viet Nam).
A preliminary mapping of recommendations received by ASEAN Member States under the UNCAC Review Mechanism and UN Human Rights Mechanisms formed the basis for this workshop and led to the identification of 6 key areas of overlap between recommendations: judicial integrity; business integrity and human rights; freedom of expression and the right to information; whistle-blowers, witnesses and human rights defenders; good governance; and corruption and the death penalty. Substantive presentations highlighted the ways in which anti-corruption and human rights efforts are mutually reinforcing, complemented by panel discussions to facilitate peer learning and group brainstorming (both in country groups and regional groups) to encourage networking and information-sharing.
