Plan of Action
The heads of state and government participating in the
1994 Summit of the Americas in Miami, Florida, desirous of furthering the broad objectives
set forth in their Declaration of Principles and mindful of the need for practical
progress on the vital tasks of enhancing democracy, promoting development, achieving
economic integration and free trade, improving the lives of their people, and protecting
the natural environment for future generations, affirm their commitment to this Plan of
Action.
5. Combating Corruption
The problem of corruption is now an issue of serious
interest not only in this Hemisphere, but in all regions of the world. Corruption in both
the public and private sectors weakens democracy and undermines the legitimacy of
governments and institutions. The modernization of the state, including deregulation,
privatization and the simplification of government procedures, reduces the opportunities
for corruption. All aspects of public administration in a democracy must be transparent
and open to public scrutiny.
Governments will:
-
Promote open discussion of the most significant problems facing government and develop priorities for reforms needed to make government operations transparent and accountable.
-
Ensure proper oversight of government functions by strengthening internal mechanisms, including investigative and enforcement capacity with respect to acts of corruption, and facilitating public access to information necessary for meaningful outside review.
-
Establish conflict of interest standards for public employees and effective measures against illicit enrichment, including stiff penalties for those who utilize their public position to benefit private interests.
-
Call on the governments of the world to adopt and enforce measures against bribery in all financial or commercial transactions with the Hemisphere; toward this end, invite the OAS to establish liaison with the OECD Working Group on Bribery in International Business Transactions.
-
Develop mechanisms of cooperation in the judicial and banking areas to make possible rapid and effective response in the international investigation of corruption cases.
-
Give priority to strengthening government regulations and procurement, tax collection, the administration of justice and the electoral and legislative processes, utilizing the support of the IDB and other international financial institutions where appropriate.
-
Develop within the OAS, with due regard to applicable treaties and national legislation, a hemispheric approach to acts of corruption in both the public and private sectors that would include extradition and prosecution of individuals so charged, through negotiation of a new hemispheric agreement or new arrangements within existing frameworks for international cooperation.
