Morocco vows cooperation with UN against corruption

Morocco will cooperate with the United Nations for the implementation of the newly signed UN anti-corruption convention, pledged, in Merida, Mexico, on Wednesday, Moroccan ambassador to Canada and head of the Moroccan delegation to the high-level political conference for the signing of this convention (Dec 9-11).

Morocco will "cooperate in the most positive and constructive spirit with the United Nations office Against Drug and Crime to guarantee the efficient implementation of the provisions contained in this convention," said Mohamed Tanji in a speech during the plenary session of the conference.

On Wednesday, the diplomat formally signed Morocco's membership to the convention.

He said the fight against corruption requires adequate means, based mainly on prevention and eradication of causes.

Morocco, he went on, considers that this struggle also requires a commitment on the part of decision-makers from the private sector, the involvement of non governmental organizations (NGOs), the media as well as all components of the society.

Morocco was among the first countries to sign this convention, under which, signatory countries agree to return assets obtained through corruption and assist each other to provide evidence, freeze bank accounts, confiscate other property and extradite suspects.

It also requires signers to beef up and enforce corruption laws, and to include in the national legislation internationally recognized concepts such as money laundering and peddling of influence.

The convention also treats corruption as something more than a simple crime, as it destabilizes countries, slows development and erode democratic institutions.