A bill adopting the UN Convention Against Corruption was passed by the ROC Legislature May 5 in Taipei City, further strengthening Taiwan’s culture of cleaner governance and corporate practice.
Proposed by the Ministry of Justice last year, the legislation includes measures for implementing UNCAC-related laws covering such aspects as prevention and criminalization of corruption, recovery of illegally acquired assets, and strengthening of law enforcement and international cooperation.
“We will work with all government units over the next three years in reviewing regulations and ensuring they are in accordance with the spirit and framework of the convention,” an MOJ Agency Against Corruption official said.
“In addition, we are putting the final touches on draft legislation enabling foreign criminal judgments and extraditions to be carried out in Taiwan as a way of enhacing cross-border cooperation.”
UNCAC was adopted by the UN General Assembly Oct. 31, 2003, and entered into force Dec. 14, 2005. Its eight chapters and 71 articles provide governments around the globe with guidelines on anti-corruption laws and policies. A total of 175 states endorse the instrument.
According to the official, although the ROC is not party to the convention, the government is determined to uphold its objectives and see Taiwan play its part in stamping out the scourge of corruption.
“By adopting measures outlined in the convention, the government can tackle all forms of public and private sector misconduct,” the official said. “Taking bribes and obtaining illegitimate gains in commercial activities will now be considered a crime and punishable by civil, criminal and administrative laws.”
