The anti-corruption activities of the OAS are primarily focused on the implementation of the Inter-American Convention against Corruption (IACAC). It was adopted in 1996 and came into force in 1997. The IACAC was ratified by 34 OAS members except for Cuba.
The IACAC was the first international convention to address exclusively the question of corruption. As for the content of the IACAC, it largely preceded the UN Convention against Corruption. It addresses such issues as the prevention of corruption, criminalization of specific corruption offences, including international bribery and illicit enrichment, as well as international cooperation among the parties to the IACAC in the area of legal and technical interaction, extradition and identification, tracing, freezing, seizure and confiscation of property or assets acquired from corruption.
A Committee of Experts was established to monitor the implementation of the Convention. The key issues of its implementation, including the relevant Mechanism, are addressed by the Conference of the States parties to the IACAC.
The OAS also undertakes other initiatives in the area of anti-corruption. In particular, the OAS drafted two model laws on crucial anti-corruption instruments: 1) declaration of income, assets and liabilities and 2) protection of whistleblowers. In addition, anti-corruption trainings for public officials are organized and a database of anti-corruption legislation of the countries of the Americas is maintained under the auspices of the OAS.
To provide informational support for the implementation of the Inter-American Convention against Corruption, the OAS has launched the Anticorruption Portal of the Americas. It contains the text of the Convention as well as information on the follow up mechanism, model laws and legislative guidelines developed by the OAS, links to country anti-corruption legislation and a number of other materials.
