The OAS Convention has had a Follow-up Mechanism in operation since 2001, which allows for review of whether states are enacting effective measures to combat corruption in line with OAS Convention requirements. In the first round of evaluations, expected to run for five years to 2006, countries are being reviewed on a selection of preventive measures (Article 3), including standards of conduct, public officials’ disclosure of assets, oversight bodies and mechanisms to encourage participation by civil society and non-governmental organizations in efforts to prevent corruption. They are also being reviewed on technical co-operation (Article 14) and on central authorities (Article 17).

The Follow-Up Mechanism is comprised of two bodies:

• Conference of States Parties, the political body of the mechanism, in which guidelines are established and important decisions are made. The body meets once a year.
• Committee of Experts which conducts review examinations in a series of review rounds according to a procedure involving a preparatory phase and a review phase, as described below. This Committee is a technical body composed of members of institutions with a legal or political responsibility in anti-corruption work in States Parties to the Convention. The experts are appointed by the government of their respective countries. No specific qualifications are required and some of those appointed have a diplomatic role and act in the absence of an expert. The Committee meets formally twice a year. Secretariat services for the Committee are provided by the General Secretariat of the OAS, through its Department of Legal Affairs and Services. The Committee of Experts responsibility for defining the rules and procedures for the monitoring mechanism.

The monitoring process involves

• country self-assessments based on a questionnaire and indicators. This is published subject to the agreement of the country
  o First round questionnaire
  o First round indicators
  o First round self assessments
• civil society written responses to the same questionnaire as well as meetings with the subgroups (see below)
  o First round civil society reports
• expert review subgroups that conduct a review with the state of the state’s response, including meeting with government and civil society representatives
• an active secretariat
• active Committee of Experts plenary discussions, which discuss and adopt reports
• a report with recommendations, published subject to agreement of the government
  o First round reports

For more information visit:

• Detailed description
  OAS.details.doc 29.50 kB
• OAS website