A/HRC/23/26 to combat corruption and its manifestations. Delegations also highlighted efforts to address corruption, such as the creation of national anti-corruption agencies, the introduction of relevant legislation and measures to enhance transparency, accountability, good governance, public awareness and the empowerment and participation of society in the prevention and fight against corruption. Delegations also stressed the importance of the ongoing Convention against Corruption review process and of strengthening asset recovery. 17. A number of speakers stressed the need to pay special attention to groups and individuals who were particularly vulnerable to the negative impact of corruption, such as the poor, women, children, persons with disabilities and minorities. Several delegations raised the issue of asset recovery and the repatriation of illicit funds derived from corruption, adding that corruption was a transnational crime that required coordinated responses from the international community. While recognizing the importance of the issue, some delegations cautioned against the duplication of efforts and pointed to the need for a comprehensive and more balanced approach to combating corruption in all its forms through strengthening good governance and the rule of law. 18. The protection of anti-corruption activists, whistle-blowers and journalists was addressed by many speakers. Many also emphasized the importance of free access to public information, budget transparency and the role of civil society in combating corruption. Some said that anti-corruption campaigners were also human rights defenders; countering corruption was part of the combat for compliance with human rights; and it was regrettable that, for a number of years, efforts made to counter corruption and ensure human rights had been in parallel rather than in conjunction with each other. 19. Concerning best practices and measures to combat corruption, many delegations shared their experiences in establishing specific anti-corruption bodies, introducing new laws and legal amendments, making public procurement more transparent and running education and public awareness campaigns. Several delegations cited examples of egovernance and efforts to make available on the Internet all government expenditures on a daily basis. Efforts to increase anti-corruption cooperation at the regional and international levels were also highlighted. Some suggested that there should be further and more concrete examination of specific human rights violations due to corruption, with special attention to vulnerable groups. Another question concerned the role of independent anticorruption agencies. It had been said by some speakers that it was important to set up some international standards, similar to those applied to national human rights institutions. Other questions concerned the protection of whistle-blowers in the context of corruption cases, such as the protection granted to human rights activists, and the effectiveness of egovernment in reducing corruption. V. Comments and replies by panellists 20. The panel moderator noted a promising consensus in the room that there was a strong link between human rights and anti-corruption. Ms. Pursuhottam said that, in order to create gender-sensitive programming, women should be consulted when it came to the design of anti-corruption strategies at the macro level, and grassroots women’s organizations should be supported. She said that indicators to monitor corruption were being developed and that these would be shared in the future. 21. Mr. Kedzia urged anti-corruption bodies to integrate human rights into their work. The interest in taking a human rights-based approach in various procedures and instruments at the country level should be encouraged. The concept of public interest litigation was a noteworthy instrument to further the linkage between the two phenomena. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights could continue to apply systematic approaches to 7