UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) 2003

Summary

UNCAC is the broadest international anti-corruption treaty. Chapter V (Asset Recovery) establishes a framework for international cooperation in recovering proceeds of corruption held abroad. Sri Lanka has ratified UNCAC. States parties must cooperate in identifying, freezing, seizing and confiscating assets and return them to the state of origin.

Relevance to the diaspora

Tamil diaspora organisations can invoke UNCAC mechanisms to press Sri Lanka's foreign creditors and trade partners to condition engagement on asset recovery from corrupt officials; Chapter V has been used in similar contexts (Libya, Ukraine) to freeze and return state assets looted by officials.

Key provisions

• Art. 51 — asset recovery as fundamental principle
• Art. 54 — mechanisms for recovery through international cooperation
• Art. 55 — international cooperation for purposes of confiscation
• Art. 57 — return and disposal of assets

Primary source

Related entries

• → Federal Act on the Freezing and the Restitution of Illicit Assets Held by Foreign Politically Exposed Persons (FIAA) 2015 — Switzerland (CH)
• → Criminal Finances Act 2017 / Unexplained Wealth Orders (UK)
• → UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) 2000 (UN)