A/HRC/23/26 the relation between corruption and human rights and, within its mandate, should take a more proactive approach in initiating technical assistance for States parties. It would be important to establish closer synergy between anti-corruption efforts by the United Nations system and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 22. Responding to questions about how to define specific human rights violations due to corruption, Mr. Aboudrar said that when civil servants stole or diverted pubic funds, the State was violating people’s rights to equitable access to basic services, for example. The links between corruption and human rights violations were not theoretical but concrete. He also stressed the importance of an independent anti-corruption body to diagnose the problems and propose solutions. Citizens needed to be mobilized, informed and empowered to seek accountability. Ms. Hayden reiterated that educating society about the problem of corruption through formal and informal means was a way to promote human rights by strengthening the anti-corruption regime. Ms. Rodriguez Cerro said it was important for all to work together in combating corruption and strengthening their capacities to do so. 23. According to Mr. Matsheza, it was commonly accepted that corruption happened where there was the opportunity for stealing and the likelihood of getting caught was slim. Where information was available, including on licences and permits, drastic reductions of cases of corruption in procurement and service delivery were seen. Most Governments were adopting more transparent systems, including e-governance, and that should be encouraged. 24. Ms. Sayago said that the Convention against Corruption, while without specifically referring to the protection of journalists, recognized that it was important to protect persons who investigated different aspects of corruption. UNODC was working to help journalists to carry out their activities with accountability and professionalism. She added that it was important to take into consideration that anti-corruption efforts had to be put in place in a coherent fashion and that there were certain obligations for the State, but also roles for civil society, business and academia, and there were opportunities to continue working so that the prevention of corruption would become increasingly realized, while reinforcing the protection of human rights and the rule of law. VI. Concluding remarks by the moderator 25. The moderator welcomed the rich and inclusive approach of all the panellists, delegations and speakers present. The panel discussion had addressed corruption from petty corruption at the grassroots level to corruption on a grand scale at the transnational level. There was a consensus that a very strong link existed between anti-corruption efforts and human rights. It was hoped that those efforts could thus receive the sustained attention of the Human Rights Council. It was clear that there was a need for the Council to address the negative impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights. 26. The moderator could see an enormous potential for the anti-corruption movement to better utilize the United Nations human rights mechanisms, such as those under the Human Rights Council as well as the United Nations human rights treaty bodies. Any study on anti-corruption and human rights should address the need for a follow-up mechanism, be it in the form of a rapporteur or other procedures. It was believed that there was a need for regular reporting on human rights and corruption. This should also assess corruption leading to direct and specific human rights violations. Anti-corruption authorities should integrate human rights into their operations. He also welcomed arguments in favour of the protection of anticorruption campaigners as human rights defenders. 8