International Anti-Corruption Day is celebrated every year on 9 December all over the world. Like every year, this year also ‘International Anti-Corruption Day’ will be celebrated on 9th December. Its main motive is to create awareness among the people about corruption.
Corruption i.e. bribery is a big problem for the whole world today. Almost all countries are facing the problem of corruption. Let us know what is corruption?
First of all, it is very important to understand what is corruption. Simply put, corruption means an unfair advantage given for doing something legitimate or illegitimate. This benefit can be in the form of finance which is called a bribe or it can be in some other way also.
For example, you have to make an identity card. You go to the designated office to get it built, but their money is demanded from you, whereas it is the responsibility of the government officials to do your work for free. Many times immoral work is also done with the money which comes under the purview of corruption.
In particular, it is the most serious crime for developing countries. This slows down the pace of social and economic development. This also affects national security. Crores of people are not able to get proper education, health care facility and other public facilities.
‘International Anti-Corruption Day’ – what history speaks
The first step to fight against international corruption was taken by the United Nations bypassing the United National Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in December 2003. It was prepared on 31 October 2003. UNAC is a treaty between the member states of the United Nations, which was signed on 9 December and took effect from 14 December 2005. The purpose of this treaty was to legally bind member states to reduce corruption and enforce law and order. This agreement depicts 5 types of issues, are as follows:
- To take necessary steps to prevent corruption.
- Enforcement of law and order.
- Reducing corruption at the international level.
- Recovery of property and bringing the country back to its original form.
- Technical support and information exchange.
UNCAC’s headquarters are located in Merida and New York. The Secretary-General of the United States serves as the depository and secretary to the meetings of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime on the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the United Nations Convention against Corruption on December 9, 2006. The first International Corruption Day was celebrated in India by signing.
