Group of States Against Corruption

Group of States Against Corruption. It is a monitoring body established by the Council of Europe to promote anti-corruption standards among its members. The organization conducts evaluation cycles where peer experts assess national compliance with agreed legal and institutional frameworks. Its work is considered a cornerstone of international anti-corruption efforts within the European continent and for states cooperating with the European Union.

History and establishment

The initiative was launched following a decision by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in 1999, amid growing international concern over transnational crime and the need for stronger legal instruments. Its creation was directly influenced by the adoption of the Council of Europe Criminal Law Convention on Corruption and the Council of Europe Civil Law Convention on Corruption. The first evaluation round began in the year 2000, with founding members including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The body expanded its mandate significantly after the adoption of additional protocols and the United Nations Convention against Corruption provided a broader global framework for cooperation.

Structure and membership

The plenary body, comprising all member states, is the supreme decision-making organ, which adopts reports and recommendations. Day-to-day operations are managed by a secretariat based in Strasbourg, operating within the Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law. Membership is open to all Council of Europe member states and is also extended to non-member states; notable participants include the United States and Belarus. The evaluation teams consist of experts nominated by member states, often including jurists from bodies like the European Court of Human Rights and officials from national agencies such as the French Cour des Comptes.

Monitoring and evaluation process

The core activity is conducted through successive evaluation rounds, each focusing on specific thematic areas like the criminalization of corruption or the transparency of party funding. Procedures involve detailed questionnaires, country visits by selected evaluators, and interviews with national authorities from institutions like the Spanish Audiencia Nacional and Polish Central Anti-Corruption Bureau. The process culminates in a mutual evaluation report containing recommendations, with follow-up procedures managed by the Bureau of the Group of States Against Corruption to assess compliance over time.

Key publications and reports

Principal documents include the comprehensive evaluation reports for each member state, such as those concerning Italy or Romania, and the annual general activity reports submitted to the Committee of Ministers. Thematic studies address issues like corruption prevention in top executive functions and the role of supreme audit institutions. All documents are public and often cited by other international organizations like the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the European Commission in their own monitoring mechanisms.

Impact and criticism

The body has significantly influenced national legislation, leading to reforms in countries like Georgia and Ukraine, and its standards are referenced in European Union accession negotiations. It has fostered cross-border cooperation among entities like the European Anti-Fraud Office and Europol. Criticisms include the non-binding nature of its recommendations and perceived leniency in evaluating powerful states, with some non-governmental organizations like Transparency International calling for more rigorous public compliance reports. Its role remains pivotal within the broader European security architecture and the global fight against financial crime.

Category:Anti-corruption organizations Category:Council of Europe