Resources - Human Rights Council 

Summary of the Expert Workshop on Good Practices of United Nations-system Support to States in Preventing and fighting against Corruption, with a Focus on Human Rights

The perceived level of corruption and the enjoyment of human rights are closely correlated. Corruption affects in particular the poor, marginalized and vulnerable segments of society; it is not only a problem of criminal behaviour, but also and above all a structural issue. Combating corruption therefore requires ... Read more

Note: This document links anti-corruption measures with the promotion and protection of human rights.

Also available in: French Spanish Russian Arabic Chinese

Year of publication: 2019

Best Practices and How to Improve on the Effectiveness of Cross-border Cooperation between States with Respect to Law Enforcement on the Issue of Business and Human Rights: Study of the Working Group on the Issue of Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises

In its resolution 32/10, the Human Rights Council recognized the importance of dialogue and cooperation among all stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, in particular with respect to improving corporate accountability and access ... Read more

Note: This document discusses tools for cross-border cooperation in transnational bribery and corruption cases.

Also available in: French Spanish Russian Arabic Chinese

Year of publication: 2017

Illicit Financial Flows, Human Rights and the Post-2015 Development Agenda - Interim Study by the Independent Expert on the Effects of Foreign Debt and other related International Financial Obligations of States on the Full Enjoyment of all Human Rights, particularly Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky

Illicit financial flows generated from crime, corruption, embezzlement and tax evasion represent a major drain on the resources of developing countries, reducing tax revenues and the scope for progressive taxation, hindering development and the rule of law, exacerbating poverty and inequality, and ... Read more

Note: This document provides recommendations related to curbing illicit financial flows.

Also available in: French Spanish Russian Arabic Chinese

Year of publication: 2015

Final Report of the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee on the Issue of the Negative Impact of Corruption on the Enjoyment of Human Rights

On 13 June 2013, the Human Rights Council adopted its resolution 23/9, in which it requested the Advisory Committee to submit a research-based report to the Council, at its twenty-sixth session being held in June 2014, on the issue of the negative impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights, ... Read more

Note: This document provides recommendations related to addressing the negative impact of corruption on human rights.

Also available in: French Spanish Russian Arabic Chinese

Year of publication: 2015

Progress Report of the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee on the Issue of the Negative Impact of Corruption on the Enjoyment of Human Rights

On 13 June 2013, the Human Rights Council adopted its resolution 23/9, in which it requested the Advisory Committee to submit a research-based report to the Council, at its twenty-sixth session being held in June 2014, on the issue of the negative impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights, ... Read more

Note: This document provides recommendations related to addressing the negative impact of corruption on human rights.

Also available in: French Spanish Russian Arabic Chinese

Year of publication: 2014

Summary Report of the Human Rights Council Panel Discussion on the Negative Impact of Corruption on the Enjoyment of Human Rights

The present report is submitted in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 21/13, in which the Council requested the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to organize “a panel discussion on the issue of the negative impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights” at ... Read more

Note: This document provides recommendations related to addressing the negative impact of corruption on human rights.

Also available in: French Spanish Russian Arabic Chinese

Year of publication: 2013

Final Study on Illicit Financial Flows, Human Rights and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the Independent Expert on the Effects of Foreign Debt and other related International Financial Obligations of States on the Full Enjoyment of all Human Rights, particularly Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

The Secretariat has the honour to transmit to the Human Rights Council the final study on illicit financial flows, human rights and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full ... Read more

Note: This document provides recommendations related to curbing illicit financial flows.

Also available in: French Spanish Russian Arabic Chinese

Year of publication: 2016

Guiding Principles on Human Rights Impact Assessments of Economic Reforms - Report of the Independent Expert on the Effects of Foreign Debt and other related International Financial Obligations of States on the Full Enjoyment of Human Rights, particularly Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

In his report the Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights, presents guiding principles on human rights impact assessments of economic reforms, which set out the human rights principles and standards that apply to States, international financial ... Read more

Note: This document discusses the development of a framework to regulate financing of political parties and prevention of corruption.

Also available in: French Spanish Russian Arabic Chinese

Year of publication: 2018

Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography

The present report is submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolutions 7/13 and 25/6. It describes the activities carried out by the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography since her last report was submitted to the Human Rights Council in March 2015. ... Read more

Note: This document recommends anti-corruption in law enforcement and the judiciary.

Also available in: French Spanish Russian Arabic Chinese

Year of publication: 2015

Intersessional Seminar on the role of Good Governance in the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Best Practices in the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 16 in this regard

Without good governance at all levels, it will not be possible to fully realize human rights and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Goal 16 is particularly relevant in this regard, as it enshrines the commitment to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to ... Read more

Note: This document discusses recommendations to integrate anti-corruption strategies into good governance initiatives, in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Also available in: French Spanish Russian Arabic Chinese

Year of publication: 2019

Promotion and Protection of all Human Rights, Civil, Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, including the Right to Development

The Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order devotes his second thematic report to the Human Rights Council to the intersectional topic of public participation and decision-making in global governance spaces and its impact on a democratic and equitable international order. ... Read more

Note: This document discusses the strengthening of global governance spaces in order to tackle cross-border challenges like corruption.

Also available in: French Spanish Russian Arabic Chinese

Year of publication: 2019

Report of the Independent Expert on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order

The Secretariat has the honour to transmit to the Human Rights Council the thematic report of the Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, Alfred de Zayas, pursuant to Council resolution 36/4. ... Read more

Note: This document discusses adoption of legislation to prevent corruption and bribes.

Also available in: French Spanish Russian Arabic Chinese

Year of publication: 2018

The Negative Impact of the Non-repatriation of Funds of Illicit Origin to the Countries of Origin on the Enjoyment of Human Rights, and the Importance of Improving International Cooperation

This Resolution was adopted by the Human Rights Council on 24 March 2016 during the thirty-first session. ... Read more

Note: This document discusses anti-corruption measures related to illicit financial flows.

Also available in: French Spanish Russian Arabic Chinese

Year of publication: 2016

Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Report of the Special Rapporteur

In the present report, the Special Rapporteur examines the relationship between corruption and torture or ill-treatment, outlines the predominant patterns of interaction between the two phenomena as well as their systemic root causes, and offers recommendations with a view to strengthening the protection against torture and ill-treatment in contexts affected by corruption. ... Read more

Also available in: French Spanish Russian Arabic Chinese

Year of publication: 2019

The Negative Impact of the Non-repatriation of Funds of Illicit Origin on the Enjoyment of Human Rights - Interim Report by the Independent Expert on the Effects of Foreign Debt and other related International Financial Obligations of States on the Full Enjoyment of all Human Rights, particularly Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Illicit financial flows – generated from crime, corruption, embezzlement and tax evasion – represent a major drain on the resources of developing countries, reducing tax revenues and investment inflows, hindering development, exacerbating poverty and undermining the enjoyment of human rights. It is ... Read more

Note: This document provides recommendations related to curbing illicit financial flows.

Also available in: French Spanish Russian Arabic Chinese

Year of publication: 2013

Report of the Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing as a Component of the Right to an Adequate Standard of Living, and on the Right to Non-discrimination in this Context

In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this context provides States and other actors with concrete guidance on implementing effective rights-based housing strategies. The ... Read more

Note: This document provides recommendations for the integration of anti-corruption measures in public-private partnerships, and contracts for housing production and management.

Also available in: French Spanish Russian Arabic Chinese

Year of publication: 2018