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	GOPAC Declares Grand Corruption a Crime Against Humanity "The parliamentarians of the world, have given the community of nations the mandate and strategy to bring the worst perpetrators of corruption to justice," said Akaash Maharaj.
	Panama City - Thursday, 28 November 2013
	Grand corruption is a crime against humanity and should be treated as such: GOPAC is calling on the United Nations and other international institutions to deem crimes of grand corruption as crimes against the common community of humanity, in violation of universal human rights, said Akaash Maharaj, Executive Director of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC), at the announcement of GOPAC’s unanimously adopted Declaration from the Fifth Forum of Parliamentarians. Grand corruption encompasses the most egregious forms of corruption that should shock the conscience of the international community and mobilize the will of nations to act across borders. GOPAC will work with our members and partners to develop a rigorous and widely accepted definition of the parameters of grand corruption, as a first step towards prosecuting such crimes. “GOPAC members, the parliamentarians of the world, have given the community of nations the mandate and strategy to bring the worst perpetrators of corruption to justice,” said Maharaj. Over the next two years, GOPAC will work with its national and regional chapters, partner organizations, and international institutions to implement the Declaration. “The UNCAC Coalition is enthusiastic to be joining hands with GOPAC to bring the world’s worst perpetrators of corruption to justice,” said José Ugaz, UNCAC Coalition representative. For additional information, please contact: Ann Marie Paquet GOPAC Communications Manager +1 (613) 366 3164 ext 304 annmarie.paquet@gopacnetwork.org Editors' Notes: Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) is a worldwide alliance of parliamentarians working together to combat corruption, strengthen good government, and uphold the rule of law. Based in Ottawa, Canada, GOPAC has 49 national chapters across the world. GOPAC supports its members’ efforts through original research, global anti-corruption capacity building, and international peer support. GOPAC's web site is www.gopacnetwork.org