Victims of CorruptionBack for PaybackFelipe Freitas FalconiJosé UgazJuanita Olaya GarciaYara Esquivel SotoNOVEMBER 2023Public Disclosure AuthorizedPublic Disclosure AuthorizedPublic Disclosure AuthorizedPublic Disclosure AuthorizedVictims of CorruptionBack for PaybackFelipe Freitas FalconiJosé UgazJuanita Olaya GarciaYara Esquivel Soto© 2023 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433Telephone: 202-473-1000Internet: star.worldbank.orgEmail: starinitiative@worldbank.orgTwitter: @returningassetsSome rights reserved.StAR—the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative—is a partnership between the World Bank Group and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) that supports international efforts to end safe havens for corrupt funds. StAR works with developing countries and financial centers to prevent the laundering of the proceeds of corruption and to facilitate more systematic and timely return of stolen assets.This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime with external contributions. The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors, or the governments they represent, the United Nations, or its Member States. The World Bank and the United Nations do not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. The boundar-ies, colors, denominations, and other information shown on any map in this work do not imply any judgment on the part of The World Bank or the United Nations concerning the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries.Nothing herein shall constitute or be considered to be a limitation upon or waiver of the privileges and immunities of The World Bank or the United Nations, all of which are specifically reserved.Rights and PermissionsThe material in this work is subject to copyright. Because The World Bank encourages dissem-ination of its knowledge, this work may be reproduced, in whole or in part, for noncommercial purposes as long as full attribution to this work is given.Any queries on rights and licenses, including subsidiary rights, should be addressed to World Bank Publications, The World Bank Group, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433, USA; fax: 202-522-2625; e-mail: pubrights@worldbank.org.Cover illustration by Lindsay Jordan Kretchen Design by Sensical DesignStAR: Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative 1ContentsAbbreviations 4Acknowledgments 5Introduction 6International Standards 122.1 The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) 122.2 The Political Declaration adopted at the United Nations Special Session of the General Assembly 142.3 The Council of Europe Civil Law Convention on Corruption 152.4 The Council of Europe Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscati...
