On 13th February, our Executive Director, Magdalena Sepúlveda Carmona, participated in a pivotal expert meeting organised by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. This critical meeting concentrated on the intricate obstacles that prevent the return of illicitly obtained funds to their rightful countries.

The meeting, convened in response to the Human Rights Council's resolution 52/21, emphasised the critical nature of addressing the non-repatriation of illicit funds and its negative implications on human rights globally, highlighting the need for comprehensive strategies to address this critical issue.

Participants, including states, advisory committees, and other stakeholders, discussed challenges and best practices related to repatriating illicit funds. The goal was to formulate actionable recommendations that enhance the global framework for asset recovery.

This expert meeting built on a series of reports and resolutions, including the General Assembly's resolution on promoting international cooperation to combat illicit financial flows and the Advisory Committee's studies on utilising non-repatriated illicit funds. These documents laid a solid foundation for the discussions and highlighted the urgent need for cohesive action against the barriers to funds repatriation.

More information can be accessed here.