Ending the impunity of corrupt officials and returning the proceeds of corruption: The stolen asset recovery initiative (SIAR)

The local public seems to be bombarded with stories about corruption. It seems that there are weekly front-page headlines boldly announcing that some former president of an African country had stolen billions of dollars and hidden them outside of their country. Another news report targets a senior politician from the Americas who is hiding in Europe with untold sums of monies. Or, that a former minister from Southeast Asia had been convicted of corruption, but their monies and properties remain safe in various financial centres around the world. This was the state of anti-corruption efforts in 2007. This arrogance and impunity had to be addressed by the international community.