| 73 |
Is there legislation criminalizing corruption? |
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73a:
In law, attempted corruption is illegal.
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| Score: |
YES |
NO |
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Comments: The penal code does not make an express mention of attempted corruption as being illegal. However, certain offenses may include the attempt as a crime.
For example, both the anti-corruption law (Law 190 of 1995) and the broader penal code consider that the offer of bribes to a public servant is a crime. The law states "The person who gives or offers money or gifts to a public servant in order to get a favorable decision or to keep the public servant from making decisions will incur in prison from three to six years, fines equivalent to $50 to $100 minimum wages and the elimination of the rights associated with public office".
The penal code also specifies when a public servant taking advantage of his/her functions, coerces another public servant to get a benefit to offer. Thus, the crime exists even if the coerced person does not actually get the benefit.
References: Ley 190 of 1995. (junio 6) Diario Oficial No. 41.878, de 6 de junio de 1995 "Por la cual se dictan normas tendientes a preservar la moralidad en la administración pública y se fijan disposiciones con el fin de erradicar la corrupción administrativa". Art. 143
LEY 599 DE 2000. (julio 24) Diario Oficial No 44.097 de 24 de julio del 2000.
LEY 890 DE 2004 (julio 7) Diario Oficial No. 45.602, de 7 de julio de 2004 "Por la cual se modifica y adiciona el Código Penal". (art 407)
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73b:
In law, extortion is illegal.
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| Score: |
YES |
NO |
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Comments: The penal code includes the figure of "prevaricato por accion" and "prevaricato por omisión". These refer to the public servant who issues a decision that is contrary to law or that denies or delays an act within its functions. The penal code also says that offering or asking for a bribe to keep someone from testifying in a penal process is a crime.
References: Ley 190 of 1995. (junio 6) Diario Oficial No. 41.878, de 6 de junio de 1995 Por la cual se dictan normas tendientes a preservar la moralidad en la administración pública y se fijan disposiciones con el fin de erradicar la corrupción administrativa.
LEY 599 DE 2000. (julio 24) Diario Oficial No 44.097 de 24 de julio del 2000.
LEY 890 DE 2004 (julio 7) Diario Oficial No. 45.602, de 7 de julio de 2004 PODER PÚBLICO - RAMA LEGISLATIVA Por la cual se modifica y adiciona el Código Penal. Art. 444A, 453
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73c:
In law, offering a bribe (i.e. active corruption) is illegal.
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| Score: |
YES |
NO |
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Comments: Article 407 of the penal code says that offering or giving of money or a privilege to public servants is a crime. Article 404 says asking for a bribe by a public servant is a crime.
References: LEY 599 DE 2000. (julio 24) Diario Oficial No 44.097 de 24 de julio del 2000. Art. 404 and 407
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73d:
In law, receiving a bribe (i.e. passive corruption) is illegal.
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| Score: |
YES |
NO |
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Comments: Articles 405 and 406 of the penal code say that receiving money or any other items to make a decision or to withhold or delay decisions, is a crime.
References: LEY 599 DE 2000. (julio 24) Diario Oficial No 44.097 de 24 de julio del 2000. Art. 405 and 406
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73e:
In law, bribing a foreign official is illegal.
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| Score: |
YES |
NO |
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Comments: The Penal Code, article 433, states that offers of money or any other privleges to a foreign official directly or indirectly in order to influence a decision is a crime.
References: LEY 599 DE 2000. (julio 24) Diario Oficial No 44.097 de 24 de julio del 2000. art. 433
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73f:
In law, using public resources for private gain is illegal.
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| Score: |
YES |
NO |
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Comments: Under the penal code articles 397 and 398 says that it is a crime when a public servant uses or takes possession for himself or for a third party of public goods or resources. The penalties for this offense were increased through the law 890 of 2004.
References: LEY 599 DE 2000. (julio 24) Diario Oficial No 44.097 de 24 de julio del 2000. Art. 397 and 398
LEY 890 DE 2004 (julio 7) Diario Oficial No. 45.602, de 7 de julio de 2004 "Por la cual se modifica y adiciona el Código Penal".
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73g:
In law, using confidential state information for private gain is illegal.
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| Score: |
YES |
NO |
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Comments: The penal code article 420 says the undue use of confidential information by a public servant for personal benefit is an offense.
References: LEY 599 DE 2000. (julio 24) Diario Oficial No 44.097 de 24 de julio del 2000. art. 420
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73h:
In law, money laundering is illegal.
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| Score: |
YES |
NO |
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Comments: Penal code article 323 says money laundering is a crime. It is defined as the acquisition, possession, investment, protection, transportation, hiding, giving legal appearance, or administration of money derived from illicit activities such as human trafficking, extortion, arms trafficking, kidnapping, rebellion, terrorism financing, drug trafficking, offences against the financial system or public administration.
References: LEY 599 DE 2000. (julio 24) Diario Oficial No 44.097 de 24 de julio del 2000. Art. 323
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73i:
In law, conspiracy to commit a crime (i.e. organized crime) is illegal.
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| Score: |
YES |
NO |
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Comments: Penal code article 340 says conspiracy to commit a crime is a penal offense. The punishment for this offense increases when the crime is genocide, kidnapping, torture, homicide, terrorism, drug trafficking, extortion or money laundering. Article 434 says conspiracy is a crime by public servants.
References: LEY 599 DE 2000. (julio 24) Diario Oficial No 44.097 de 24 de julio del 2000. Art. 340 and 434
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