We are concerned individuals, former officials, business leaders, representatives of civil society and of government, dedicated to promoting human rights, human health, and international peace and security. We call for the creation of an International Anti-Corruption Court because:
We know that Grand Corruption – the abuse of public office for private gain by a nation’s leaders (“kleptocrats”) – thrives in many countries and has devastating consequences. Kleptocrats corruptly enrich themselves from the trillions of dollars being spent to promote global public health and counter climate change. Kleptocrats are robbing their countries of funds needed to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Grand Corruption undermines democracy as kleptocrats use their power to suppress the media and civil society, and subvert honest elections. Refugees fleeing failed states led by kleptocrats constitute international crises. Uprisings in opposition to Grand Corruption destabilize many countries and endanger international peace and security.
We know that Grand Corruption is not flourishing because of a lack of laws. The 190 parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (“UNCAC”) each have laws criminalizing corrupt conduct. Yet kleptocrats enjoy impunity because they control the administration of justice in the countries that they rule.
Because Grand Corruption has global consequences and often cannot be combated by the countries most immediately victimized by kleptocrats, a new international institution – an International Anti-Corruption Court – is necessary and justified. Through its agreed mandate, the IACC should have jurisdiction to prosecute violations of existing domestic anti-corruption laws, or a new international counterpart to them, by kleptocrats and their collaborators, if the country the kleptocrat rules is unwilling or unable to prosecute a case itself. The IACC should have the authority to prosecute crimes committed by nationals of Member States, and by nationals of other states who commit crimes in the territory of a Member State. The IACC should be a court of last resort with the capacity to prosecute and imprison kleptocrats, and thus create opportunities for the democratic process to replace them with honest leaders. The IACC should have, in civil as well as criminal cases, the authority to recover, repatriate, and repurpose illicit assets for the victims of Grand Corruption.
As an International Anti-Corruption Court is urgently needed to promote democracy and human rights, protect human life and health, and enhance international peace and security, we hereby declare our support for the creation of the Court and call on others to join us in this crucial common cause.