Media Center

Background

The Mechanism for Follow-Up on the Implementation of the Inter-American Convention against Corruption (MESICIC)

The Inter-American Convention against Corruption was the first international antico-corruption instrument. It is a guide on how to prevent, detect, punish and eradicate corruption in the public sphere.

****************************

How does the Mechanism for Follow-Up on the Implementation of the Inter-American Convention against Corruption (MESICIC) work?

• It is essentially an intergovernmental body with broad opportunities for participation from civil society, which supports the 31 States parties in the implemention of the Convention.


• The evaluations are collected in a series of reports with concrete recommendations so that each state learns of its weaknesses, identifies gaps and can  correct areas where progress is still needed.


• It is a process of reciprocal evaluation based on conditions of equality among the states within the framework of successive “rounds.” Each round addresses a different aspect of the scourge of corruption.

 What makes the MESICIC unique?

•  This is a peer review mechanism: the States themselves are mutually analyzed.


• By its nature, it is impartial and objective in its operations and in its conclusions. It does not sanction, rate or classify countries, but seeks to forge supportive relationships among countries.


• The MESICIC seeks to establish a proper balance between confidentiality and transparency in its activities.

 What are the on-site visits?

• An integral part of the analysis process of the MESICIC are the on-site visits which allow experts to  appreciate the situation of States in anticorruption measures" in the field."


• During the visits information from authorities, civil society, the private sector and other entities related to anticorruption is gathered and thereby allows for a  broader perspective to make assessments.


• The visits are carried out by anti-corruption experts from other countries with the consent of the host country.

Some of the major achievements of the MESICIC process

• The Inter-American Convention against Corruption has been ratified by 33 of our 34 member states: it is the most widely ratified  Inter-American treaty after the OAS Charter.


• The MESICIC is a strategy with shared responsibilities between: the states; the private sector; civil society; and the international community.


• The analysis and recommendations have contributed to the adoption of laws to prevent and fight corruption, modernize institutions and implement judicial pronouncements and decisions in landmark cases of corruption.


• Since its inception the MESICIC has completed four rounds, in which 114 national reports were adopted.


• 30 on-site visits have been carried out in an equal number of members. These visits included meetings with and analysis of 134 oversight bodies in charge of preventing, investigating and punishing acts of corruption.

What is the Conference of States Parties to the Mechanism for Follow-Up on the Implementation of the Inter-American Convention against Corruption (MESICIC)?

•  It is the meeting in which the highest authorities of corruption in the hemisphere review and decide the next steps to fight this scourge within the framework of the Inter-American Convention.


•  The meeting of December 14 - 15 is the first of the Conference of States Parties since 2010, when they met in Brasilia.


•  The Conference is in charge of setting forth the guidelines for the work of MESICIC and creating new measures to advance international cooperation in this area.


•  It is also the main forum for exchange of best practices among countries seeking to tackle corruption.

 Why is the Fourth Conference important?

• During the event the Hemispheric Report of the Fourth Round of Review of the MESICIC will be presented. The fourth round focused on the analysis and recommendations regarding oversight bodies and ways to improve their effectiveness.

• The role and responsibility of the private sector and civil society in the prevention and combating of corruption will also be analyzed.

• Finally, further steps will be taken in approving model laws that will serve as tools in the prevention of conflicts of interests in the public and private sectors.


Follow the conversation on the Fourth Conference of States Parties to the MESICIC using  #Anticorruption

Reference: S-044/15