Governmental Corruption Undermines Justice and International Relations
Article 9 organized criminal groups seeking illicit enrichment and material gains routinely employ the tool of corruption as a means of influencing government and law enforcement policies. Their central objective in conducting such operations is to reduce the costs associated with illegal business activities. An effective method of achieving this is the neutralization of control practices by law enforcement officials, thereby diminishing their effectiveness and directing their attention towards competitors. Corruption also promotes criminal activity. The fact that public officials become compromised and act against the public interest is readily apparent. Corruption extends beyond the facilitation of corrupt practices and undermines the principles of democracy, seriously demoralizing public officials when revealed. When corruption reaches high levels in the government, it affects international relations, the quality of people’s lives, as it hampers the cement of societies, and violates fundamental rights. Furthermore, the political and economic consequences are additional ones relative to the fight against crime. On one hand, corruption fuels the demand for illegal migration, trafficking of people and firearms. On the other hand, corrupt officials may obstruct justice, intimidate witnesses, or otherwise impede international cooperative processes, including the possible refusal to extradite serious transnational criminals.