1. What is the OAS?

The Organization of American States (OAS) is a regional organization that brings together States of the American continent in a multilateral forum. Its aims are to encourage cooperation, strengthen democracy, promote human rights and fight against other shared problems including corruption. The OAS is made up of 35 member States from North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. However, two States, Cuba and Honduras, have a particular situation in the organization.

Cuba was suspended from the group in 1962, following Resolution VI of Meeting VIII of the Council of Foreign Ministers, which took place in Punta del Este, Uruguay. However, during Meeting XXXIX of the OAS General Assembly on June 3rd 2009 in San Pedro Sula (Honduras), this resolution, was revoked, establishing that Cuba was able to request its reinstatement in the organization. Cuba announced on June 8th that it would not return to the OAS. Honduras was suspended following Resolution GA/RES.2 (XXXVII-E/09) of July 4th 2009, as a consequence of the takeover against President José Manuel Zelaya, which occurred on June 28th 2009.

The internal structure of the OAS includes a General Assembly, which brings together Foreign Ministers for an ordinary period of sessions each year, a Permanent Council of ambassadors elected by the member States which meets more frequently in Washington to offer direction on politics and immediate issues, and the General Secretary charged with putting into practice the programs and policies established by the OAS. In addition, during the Americas Summit, which brings together the Heads of State and government, mandates are established for the region which have to be followed by all member States.

2. What is the ICAC?

The Inter-American Convention Against Corruption (ICAC) is the first international legal instrument concerning corruption. Recognizing the international scale of corruption, and consequently the necessity of coordinated cooperation between countries to combat it, the ICAC requires member States to take legal and public policy actions to promote and strengthen the development of mechanisms necessary to prevent, detect, sanction and eradicate corruption. They are also required to promote, facilitate and regulate cooperation between member States.

The preventative measures proposed by the ICAC include:

• Requirements for the penalization of specific acts of corruption, including extradition
• Seizing of goods
• Mutual legal and technical assistance
• Penalization for bribery of foreign public officials and illicit gain, and
• Standards of ethical conduct and systems to discourage bribery

At the beginning of 2010, the ICAC had been ratified by 33 countries (Cuba did not sign it neither ratified it and Barbados did not ratify it). The ICAC was ratified by Mexico on May 27th 1997 and entered in force in Mexico on July 1st 1997.

Related documents:
•  Text of the  Convention
•  Signatures and ratifications

3. ICAC chronology