IV 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 856 
Opposing kleptocracy around the world and supporting efforts to develop 
an effective, independent International Anti-Corruption Court. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 12, 2020 
Ms. SPEIER (for herself and Mr. MCGOVERN) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Opposing kleptocracy around the world and supporting ef-
forts to develop an effective, independent International 
Anti-Corruption Court. 
Whereas kleptocracy involves a country’s leaders at the high-
est levels illegally using public power for private gain, in-
cluding by bribery, nepotism, fraud, or embezzlement; 
Whereas the corrupt actions of leaders may be facilitated and 
enabled by professionals who provide those leaders with 
money management, legal public relations, and other 
services; 
Whereas kleptocracy has deprived citizens of countries across 
the world of billions of dollars; 
Whereas an estimated 5 percent of the world’s gross domestic 
product (GDP) is lost to corruption; 
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Whereas research by the International Monetary Fund has 
found 
that 
corruption 
is 
responsible 
for 
$1,000,000,000,000 in lost tax revenues; 
Whereas kleptocracy fosters an environment of criminality in 
a country, as leaders make corrupt use of or undermine 
institutions to allow them to steal, launder, hide, and 
store wealth, rather than effectively govern their coun-
tries; 
Whereas an environment of criminality creates incentives for 
human rights abuses, including restrictions on the free-
dom of the press, as leaders stigmatize and silence those 
who would shed light on their activities; 
Whereas kleptocracy also undermines human rights by steal-
ing funds that could otherwise be invested in health, edu-
cation, safe drinking water, and the defense and pro-
motion of other rights; 
Whereas the amassing of illicit wealth in the hands of a few 
is detrimental to democratic processes and the rule of 
law; 
Whereas the World Bank has found corruption disproportion-
ately harms the poor by impeding access to social services 
and the investment necessary for jobs and economic 
growth; 
Whereas grand corruption fuels the global migration crisis by 
depriving people of opportunities and livelihoods and gen-
erating criminal violence, thus pushing thousands around 
the world to leave their kleptocratic home countries and 
threatening international peace and security; 
Whereas kleptocracy is a global problem requiring a coordi-
nated international response; 
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Whereas the United States has long led the fight against 
kleptocracy domestically and internationally; 
Whereas the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 allows 
the United States to prosecute businesses that engage in 
corrupt behavior and has served as a model for the legis-
lation of other countries concerned with good governance 
and best practices; 
Whereas United States actions under the Foreign Corrupt 
Practices Act of 1977 have led to the seizure of millions 
of dollars in assets from corrupt foreign governments; 
Whereas the United States has used existing criminal money 
laundering, mail and wire fraud, and other authorities to 
investigate and prosecute kleptocrats for bribery; 
Whereas democratic countries are considering the expansion 
of foreign bribery laws to address the demand side of 
bribery; 
Whereas the United States is a state party to the Inter- 
American Convention Against Corruption, the United 
Nations 
Convention 
Against 
Corruption, 
and 
the 
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Develop-
ment’s Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign 
Public Officials in International Business Transactions; 
Whereas existing international conventions facilitate inter-
state cooperation in the fight against many forms of cor-
ruption, but are not sufficient to eliminate the impunity 
from which kleptocrats in many countries benefit; 
Whereas judicial systems in kleptocracies often fail because 
they have been captured or weakened by rulers seeking 
to protect their ill-gotten gains; 
Whereas an International Anti-Corruption Court (IACC) 
shows great promise for combating kleptocracy and cor-
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ruption by reducing impunity for acts of grand corrup-
tion around the world; 
Whereas an IACC would complement efforts to enforce anti- 
kleptocracy laws in countries where domestic judicial sys-
tems have failed; 
Whereas an IACC could offer an alternative avenue for citi-
zens of many countries to pursue the return of stolen 
money, property, and other assets; 
Whereas an IACC would be structured to fairly and inde-
pendently investigate and prosecute kleptocracy as de-
fined by law; 
Whereas an IACC would be staffed with expert investigators 
and internationally recognized judges with the expertise 
and experience needed to effectively pursue kleptocracy 
cases; 
Whereas an IACC would safeguard the rights of the accused 
in keeping with internationally recognized due process 
rights; 
Whereas an IACC would even the playing field for United 
States businesses by strengthening the enforcement of 
antikleptocracy laws everywhere in the world; 
Whereas entering into international treaties is an exercise of 
national sovereignty; 
Whereas international judicial mechanisms already operate 
only when domestic mechanisms are unwilling or unable; 
and 
Whereas IACC rulings would be enforced through the exer-
cise of the powers of its member states: Now, therefore, 
be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
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(1) opposes kleptocracy and grand corruption 
and stands in solidarity with its victims around the 
world; 
(2) applauds the strong United States record in 
seeking to counter kleptocracy around the world; 
(3) reiterates the deep commitment of the 
United States to supporting global efforts to root 
out corruption and its corrosive economic, political, 
and social effects by fostering accountability and 
promoting good governance; and 
(4) supports United States efforts to engage in 
the development of an effective, independent Inter-
national Anti-Corruption Court (IACC). 
Æ 
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