Pathology of the National Legal System for Combating Economic Corruption in the Islamic Republic of Iran in Comparison with International Standards and Presentation of a Comprehensive Legal Framework for Countering Economic Corruption
Keywords:
Economic corruption, Iranian legal system, criminal and non-criminal prevention, Mérida Convention, law reform, criminal policyAbstract
Economic corruption is one of the most complex challenges in contemporary governance, and its adverse effects on sustainable development, social justice, and public trust in the Islamic Republic of Iran have become increasingly evident. Despite the enactment of numerous laws—including the Law on Promoting Administrative System Health, the Law on Punishing Disruptors of the Economic System, and the Anti–Money Laundering Law—Iran’s legislative framework for combating economic corruption lacks the necessary coherence, transparency, and effectiveness. Using a descriptive–analytical method and relying on library resources and international instruments, this article examines the structural and functional deficiencies of the national legal system for combating economic corruption in Iran and compares it with international standards, including the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), also known as the Mérida Convention. Findings reveal that fragmentation of laws, multiplicity of law-making authorities, conceptual ambiguities, and weak enforcement mechanisms are among the most significant barriers to the effectiveness of this system. Finally, the article proposes a comprehensive model—consisting of consolidation of laws, establishment of an independent national anti-corruption authority, strengthening financial transparency, and protecting corruption whistleblowers—as practical strategies to enhance Iran’s legal framework for combating economic corruption.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Marzieh Afshari (Author); Sajad Akhtari; Isa Bani-Naeimeh (Author)
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