A/HRC/RES/28/5
Reaffirming that all peoples may, for their own ends, freely dispose of their natural
wealth and resources without prejudice to any obligations arising out of international
economic cooperation, based upon the principle of mutual benefit, and international law,
and that in no case may a people be deprived of its own means of subsistence,
Recognizing that fighting corruption at all levels is a priority and that corruption is a
serious barrier to effective resource mobilization and allocation and diverts resources away
from activities that are vital for poverty eradication, the fight against hunger, and economic
and sustainable development,
Alarmed at cases in which the proceeds of corruption-related crimes that involve
vast quantities of assets may constitute a substantial proportion of the resources of States,
the deprivation of which threatens the political stability and sustainable development of
those States and has a negative impact on the application by States of the maximum
available resources to the full realization of all human rights for all,
Deeply concerned that the enjoyment of human rights, be they economic, social and
cultural, or civil and political, in particular the right to development, is seriously
undermined by corruption and the transfer of funds of illicit origin, which may endanger the
stability and security of societies, undermine the values of democracy and morality and
jeopardize social, economic and political development, especially when an inadequate
national and international response leads to impunity,
Recalling the United Nations Convention against Corruption, underlining its central
role in fostering international cooperation to facilitate the repatriation of the proceeds of
corruption-related crimes, and stressing the need for universal adherence to the Convention
and for its full implementation, as well as the full implementation of the resolutions and
decisions of the Conference of the States Parties to the Convention, particularly those
adopted at its fourth and fifth sessions,
Recalling also that the United Nations Convention against Corruption underlines
that States parties should not decline to render mutual legal assistance, pursuant to the
Convention, including on the ground of bank secrecy,
Taking note of the work carried out by different United Nations bodies, including
the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and international and regional organizations
in preventing and combating all forms of corruption,
Bearing in mind that the prevention and eradication of corruption is a responsibility
of all States, and that States should cooperate with one another, in accordance with the
United Nations Convention against Corruption, with the support and involvement of other
stakeholders, as appropriate,
Encouraging all relevant United Nations mechanisms to continue their consideration
of the negative impact of illicit financial flows on the enjoyment of human rights, to further
explore policy responses to the phenomenon and to coordinate their efforts in this regard,
Recognizing that supportive domestic legal systems are essential in preventing and
combating corrupt practices and the transfer of assets of illicit origin and in returning such
assets, and recalling that the fight against all forms of corruption requires strong institutions
at all levels, including at the local level, able to take efficient preventive and law
enforcement measures consistent with the United Nations Convention against Corruption,
in particular chapters II and III thereof,
Appreciating the continued efforts of the Conference of the States Parties to the
United Nations Convention against Corruption, through its various intergovernmental
working groups, to oversee the review process of the implementation of the Convention, to
advise on the provision of technical assistance for building institutional and human capacity
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