Asset Recovery in focus of UNODC training in Uzbekistan

The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) is the only legally binding universal anti-corruption instrument. UNCAC's far-reaching approach and many mandatory provisions makes it a unique tool for addressing a global problem.

Uzbekistan joined the UNCAC in 2008 and participates in its Implementation Review Mechanism. In 2016, Uzbekistan completed its first cycle review focusing on criminalization and international cooperation, resulting in the publication of an executive summary.

For the second cycle of the review, which focuses on corruption prevention and asset recovery, the National Council on Combating Corruption recently established two working groups to prepare required self-assessments. UNODC is supporting the process.

Following a first training held in partnership with the Anti-Corruption Agency on the methodology for reviewing implementation of preventive measures, UNODC and the Academy of the General Prosecutor's Office this week held a training on asset recovery and the related provisions of the UNCAC.

“This event helps us prepare our self-assessment on Chapter V of the Convention and gives us a chance to familiarize ourselves in detail with the asset recovery provisions", noted Mr. Uygun Nigmatjanov, Deputy Head of the Academy of the General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Uzbekistan, at the training, which  gathered investigators, prosecutors, judges and representatives of  the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank.

Chapter V of the convention provides a framework for the return of stolen assets, requiring states parties to take measures to restrain, seize, confiscate, and return the proceeds of corruption. “Corruption remains one of the greatest obstacles to economic and social development, undermining the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals”, says Mr. Koen Marquering, who heads up UNODC’s Criminal Justice Program in Central Asia. “As guardian of the UNCAC, UNODC is committed to supporting Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries with UNCAC implementation, including through provision of technical assistance, policy advice and capacity building”.

“The main idea of Chapter V is that all stolen assets should be returned and offenders after their release cannot make use of it”, explains Mr. Vladimir Kozin from UNODC’s Corruption and Economic Crimes Branch in Vienna, Austria. “As a case for asset recovery progresses, international cooperation is essential for the successful return of assets that have been transferred to or hidden in foreign jurisdictions. This involves “informal assistance” and mutual legal assistance requests to facilitate gathering of evidence and intelligence, implementation of provisional measures, and the eventual confiscation and return of the proceeds from corruption.”

The Implementation Review Mechanism is a peer review process that assists States parties to effectively implement the Convention. Each State party is reviewed by two peers - one from the same regional group - which are selected by a drawing of lots at the beginning of each year of the review cycle.

UNODC supports the preparation of Uzbekistan for the second cycle of the UNCAC review within the framework of the project “Enhancing the capacity of civil society on good governance in Central Asia”, funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Article in Russian language 

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