How Lebanon can learn from other countries’ experiences with asset recovery

ENAR

Recovering assets corrupt officials have stolen while in government service is a critical part of a government’s fight against corruption. First of all, it deters corruption. If those who would steal from the public while ostensibly serving it know they have little chance of keeping what they take, they will be less tempted to steal it in the first place. Second, a vigorous, forceful asset recovery effort demonstrates a government’s commitment to combating corruption and thus helps bolster citizens’ confidence in its officials.   Lebanon is one of 187 nations that have ratified the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. The recovery of stolen assets is a “fundamental principle” of the convention, and states that parties are obliged to offer one another the “widest measure of cooperation” in the search for and confiscation of stolen assets. In 2007, the World Bank and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime created