This event explores challenges to prosecutorial independence in the context of preventing and combating corruption. It highlights strategies and initiatives to protect prosecutors from threats to their autonomy, credibility and safety.

This special event takes place in hybrid format at the 11th Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention Against Corruption in Doha, Qatar. It is co-organised by Norway, the Basel Institute on Governance and the International Association of Prosecutors.

Opening remarks

Hanna Olsen Bodsberg, Senior Advisor, Ministry of Justice, Norway

Speakers

• Elizabeth Andersen, Executive Director, Basel Institute on Governance (moderator)
• Shenaz Muzaffer, General Counsel, International Association of Prosecutors
• Anton Du Plessis, Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions, South Africa
• Oscar Solórzano, Head of Latin America, International Centre for Asset Recovery, Basel Institute on Governance

Details and online registration

• Date and time: Thursday 18 December: 08:00–08:50 AST | 06:00–06:50 CET
• Location: Room 5, Sheraton Doha Grand Resort and Convention Hotel
• Register for virtual participation

Further details

Few would disagree with the principles of the International Association of Prosecutors that “the use of prosecutorial discretion… should be exercised independently and be free from political interference” and that prosecutors should “perform their duties without fear, favour or prejudice.”

Yet increasingly, prosecutors are coming under attack by politicians and on social media for the independent prosecutorial decisions they make, including in cases targeting corruption of politically exposed persons. Individual prosecutors and heads of prosecuting agencies have also become targets of malicious online campaigns directed at undermining their credibility.

In addition, prosecutors who have been entrusted with politically sensitive cases can find themselves ousted from their roles when there is a change in government or government priorities.

The objective of the event will be to look closely at the circumstances of how prosecutors are being undermined and at ways in which prosecutorial independence – and prosecutors themselves – can be protected.

Background reading and watching

• IAP Standards for Prosecutors, the international benchmark for the conduct of individual prosecutors and of prosecution services.
• IAP Standing Committee on Prosecutors in Difficulty, which regulates the ways in which the IAP processes requests for assistance from prosecutors, prosecution agencies or associations of prosecutors claiming to be in difficulty.
• Summary of previous CoSP special event on safeguarding prosecutors and YouTube recording: Anti-corruption prosecutors under attack