Belgium (Brussels Morning Newspaper) The European Union (EU) is actively pursuing measures to broaden its sanctions regime, aiming to encompass corruption as a targeted offense. In a bid to combat this pervasive issue, the EU seeks to expand the scope of its existing sanctions framework.
Corruption poses a significant threat to the rule of law, democratic principles, and economic stability. Recognizing the detrimental impact of corruption within its member states and beyond, the EU is determined to take a more robust stance against this illicit practice.
The move to include corruption within the EU’s sanctions regime is a significant step toward enhancing accountability and deterring individuals and entities engaged in corrupt activities. By subjecting them to targeted sanctions, such as asset freezes and travel bans, the EU aims to impose consequences and send a clear message that corruption will not be tolerated.
The proposed expansion of the sanctions regime highlights the EU’s commitment to fighting corruption at all levels. It emphasizes the importance of promoting good governance, transparency, and integrity within both EU member states and countries outside the bloc. The EU intends to leverage its economic influence and diplomatic channels to address corruption effectively.
Furthermore, the inclusion of corruption in the sanctions regime reflects the EU’s recognition that corruption is not merely a domestic concern but a transnational issue requiring a coordinated response. By imposing sanctions on individuals and entities involved in corrupt practices, the EU aims to disrupt corrupt networks, prevent the flow of illicit funds, and protect the integrity of financial systems.
However, implementing an expanded sanctions regime to combat corruption presents its own set of challenges. Establishing clear criteria and standards for identifying and penalizing corrupt actors will be crucial to ensure fairness and avoid the potential misuse of sanctions. It will require robust mechanisms for gathering evidence, conducting investigations, and determining culpability.
Moreover, cooperation and coordination among EU member states, international organizations, and non-governmental entities will be vital in effectively enforcing the expanded sanctions regime. Sharing information, expertise, and best practices will enhance the EU’s collective ability to combat corruption and support affected countries in their own anti-corruption efforts.
“We are sending a clear message that the EU is not open for business to those who engage in corruption, wherever that occurs,” said Josep Borrell, the European Commission’s Vice President, who presented the proposal.
The Renew Europe MEP Ramona Strugariu (REPER, Romania), emphasises:
“The new package proposed by the Commission should aim to create a strong ambition for a Union where corruption has no place, where public officials are held to the highest standards of integrity, where transparency and respect for public money are the rules of the house, and where the rule of law prevails. The public mandate is a space where none of us should allow ourselves to make use of power in one’s personal interest. It is precisely the space where politicians should ensure that corruption is heavily sanctioned when it happens. Let us take this challenge, be credible and empower our citizens, Journalists, and watchdogs, to fight corruption. It is only through this unwavering commitment that we can truly achieve a prosperous, fair, and just Europe.”
Meanwhile, The proposed framework is similar to the U.S. Magnitsky Act, which was introduced in 2012 to sanction individuals involved in human rights abuses. It was later extended to also cover corruption offenses. The framework would align EU legislation with the U.S. Magnitsky Act, which was introduced in 2012 to sanction individuals involved in human rights abuses in honor of the late Russian whistleblower Sergei Magnitsky and was later extended to also cover corruption offenses.
Magnitsky was a Moscow auditor who exposed high-profile state corruption and was thrown in jail, where he died in 2009 after 11 months in custody, during which he was allegedly beaten by guards and denied medical care.
Magnitsky-style frameworks targeting human rights violations and corruption are also in place in the U.K., Canada, and Australia. The proposed anti-corruption package also aims to harmonize definitions of corruption across the legislations of EU members to include offenses such as misappropriation, trading in influence, and abuse of functions.
For the proposal to become law, it will have to be ratified by the European Parliament and the European Council, a body comprising 27 ministers, one for each EU member, meeting in 10 different configurations depending on the topic to be discussed.
