Transnational Corruption and the Role of International Criminal Law

Zahida Ashraf

doi:10.59890/ijsas.v3i5.51

Authors

Zahida Ashraf University of Punjab, Lahore

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59890/ijsas.v3i5.51

Keywords:

Transnational Corruption, International Criminal Law, UNCAC, OECD Anti-Bribery Convention, Accountability, Global Governance, Political Will, Legal Reform, International Justice, Individual Criminal Responsibility

Abstract

In an increasingly interconnected world, corruption has evolved into a transnational phenomenon that undermines democratic governance, fuels conflict, and erodes the foundations of international legal order. Even though its systemic and expansive effects, transnational corruption falls beyond the scope of international criminal law (ICL) that has historically dealt with atrocity crimes like genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. This paper critically examines whether and how ICL can evolve to encompass large-scale corruption as an international crime. It explores the normative, legal, and institutional challenges involved in this transformation and assesses the political will within the international community to hold corrupt actors individually accountable on a global scale. The study argues that confronting transnational corruption with the same legal and moral urgency as traditional international crimes is essential for the legitimacy and coherence of international justice in the 21^st century.

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