[Economist of UN Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights]
People living in conditions of poverty and vulnerability, disadvantaged and marginalized groups as well as the middle class are disproportionately impacted by corruption. They are often more reliant on public goods and services and have limited means to look for alternative private services, such as health care. This presentation discusses the ways in which corruption diverts funds from state budgets and crowds out spending on public services including health, education, and social protection as well as the development of essential infrastructure, which are essential for the realization of human rights in general and economic and social rights and the attainment of specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in particular. Curbing corruption contributes to maximum available resources for the fulfillment of human rights through the budgeting process. Adequate fiscal space, which is expanded when corruption is contained, can potentially contribute to the Minimum Core Obligation (MCO) and the Progressive Realization of economic and social rights. Addressing corruption also serves to strengthen trust and the social contract and is key in building back fairer.
Corruption, Social Spending, and Human Rights:
What is the Linkage?
Martin Mulwa
[Economist of UN Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights]
People living in conditions of poverty and vulnerability, disadvantaged and marginalized groups as well as the middle class are disproportionately impacted by corruption. They are often more reliant on public goods and services and have limited means to look for alternative private services, such as health care. This presentation discusses the ways in which corruption diverts funds from state budgets and crowds out spending on public services including health, education, and social protection as well as the development of essential infrastructure, which are essential for the realization of human rights in general and economic and social rights and the attainment of specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in particular. Curbing corruption contributes to maximum available resources for the fulfillment of human rights through the budgeting process. Adequate fiscal space, which is expanded when corruption is contained, can potentially contribute to the Minimum Core Obligation (MCO) and the Progressive Realization of economic and social rights. Addressing corruption also serves to strengthen trust and the social contract and is key in building back fairer.