On December 9, the United Nations initiative marks the International Anti-Corruption Day. On this day in 2003, the United Nations Convention against Corruption was opened for signing in the Mexican city of Merida.
The objectives behind the establishment of the International Anti-Corruption Day is raising public awareness about corruption and enhancing the role of the Convention in preventing and combating it.
To date, the Convention has been signed by about 140 states and ratified by about 80. Among them are Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. This international treaty provides for measures to prevent corruption, punish perpetrators, as well as mechanisms for international cooperation in combating it. It obliges member states to pursue policies of combating corruption, approve relevant laws, and establish special bodies to fight against this phenomenon.
On this day, many countries of the world hold demonstrations, meetings, conferences, seminars, and other events timed to the International Anti-Corruption Day. Russia is no exception. Public organisations, educational institutions, government officials, law enforcement agencies, and all committed citizens in many Russian cities organises various events on this day, and print and distribute leaflets and posters telling about the harm of corruption and methods for fighting it.