A/HRC/32/22 human rights principles, which could be the basis for rejecting a request for extradition, for example in cases of trials in absentia. 65. The Government reported on initiatives that aimed at improving the fight against corruption, integrity and protection against human rights violations, such as the recovery of assets from abroad in the corruption case involving the former head of the intelligence service, Vladimiro Montesinos, and its whistle-blower protection law. Romania 66. The Government of Romania recalled that corruption led to human rights violations and that fighting corruption safeguarded human rights. It shared information on its efforts to criminalize corruption, including the establishment of a specialized anti-corruption prosecutor’s office, and its legal framework for confiscation of the proceeds of corruption. 67. It also shared information on legal provisions for the reduction of or exemption from criminal punishment of cooperating persons. Russian Federation 68. The Government of the Russian Federation drew attention to the rights of victims of corruption, whether natural or legal persons. Entities and persons who had suffered damage because of an act of corruption had the right to initiate legal proceedings against those responsible in order to obtain compensation. In that context, the Government highlighted the importance of seizing, freezing and confiscating proceeds of corruption. 69. With a view to ensuring transparency in the fight against corruption, the Russian Federation sought to strengthen social control mechanisms, including those concerning business representatives. The Government provided statistical information on anticorruption cases and some examples of high-level cases and shared information on the protection of reporting persons. Saudi Arabia 70. The Government of Saudi Arabia reported that its national anti-corruption agency and national human rights institution worked side by side to achieve equality of all members of society, by preventing preferential treatment and ensuring accountability. Among the tasks of the anti-corruption agency was deciding on corruption cases, including compensation for those whose rights and interests had been infringed by corruption. 71. The anti-corruption agency paid great attention to the protection of victims, witnesses, whistle-blowers and anti-corruption activists, primarily by ensuring confidentiality. 72. The Government highlighted the importance of an independent judiciary, freedom of expression, accountability, integrity and civil society participation in combating corruption. 73. It drew attention to the obligation under United Nations Convention against Corruption to promote the reintegration into society of persons convicted of offences established in accordance with the Convention and to its national legislation in that regard. Switzerland 74. The Government of Switzerland highlighted the importance of a human rights-based approach to the existing anti-corruption framework. This complementary perspective was intended to strengthen the systemic responsibility of the State and the position of the victim. 75. References to human rights in its self-assessment of implementation of the United Nations Convention on Corruption related to provisions of Swiss law, which prohibited 10

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