The Mechanism for Follow-Up on the Implementation of the Inter-American Convention against Corruption (MESICIC) is an inter-governmental body established within the framework of the OAS.  It supports the States Parties in the implementation of the provisions of the Convention through a process of reciprocal evaluation, based on conditions of equality among the states. In this mechanism, recommendations are formulated with respect to those areas in which there are legal gaps or in which further progress is necessary.

• Promote the implementation of the Convention and contribute to the achievement of its purposes;





• Follow-up on the commitments assumed by the States Parties and analyze the manner in which they are being implemented; and





• Facilitate technical cooperation activities; the exchange of information, experiences and best practices; and the harmonization of the legislation of the States Parties.

The MESICIC is developed in the framework of the purposes established by the Charter of the OAS.  It takes into account the principles of sovereignty; non-intervention; and juridical equality of the states. The MESICIC is impartial and objective in its operations. It neither sanctions, grades, nor classifies states, rather it facilitates cooperation between them. The MESICIC seeks to establish an adequate balance between the confidentiality and transparency in its activities. In addition, although it is inter-governmental in nature, it may receive contributions from civil society organizations.

• The Conference of States Parties, which has the general authority and responsibility for implementing the mechanism.





• The Committee of Experts, which is responsible for the technical review of the implementation of the Convention.





• The Technical Secretariat, exercised by the General Secretariat of the OAS, through the Department of Legal Cooperation of the Secretariat for Legal Affairs.

The MESICIC develops, among other activities, a process of reciprocal evaluation among the states that are form a part of it, within the framework of successive “rounds” which review how the states are implementing the provisions of the Convention selected for each round.

For these purposes, country reports are adopted, which formulate concrete recommendations to each state, in order to close the legal gaps that have been detected; correct the inadequacies that have been found; and have indicators in place which allow an objective determination of the results that have been achieved in relation to the implementation of those provisions.

Civil society organizations participate in this process, by submitting information alongside the information submitted by the respective state.

At the conclusion of a round, the Committee adopts a Hemispheric Report.  

States Parties to the MESICIC: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Dominican Republic Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Uruguay and Venezuela.