Corruption as a threat to human rights and freedoms

Abstract

This paper considered the essence of corruption, its main manifestations in the modern globalized world and its impact on human rights and freedoms. The article stated the relationship and interdependence between the scale of corruption and the possibility of exercising human rights and freedoms. It was noted that corruption hinders the economic development of Ukraine, adversely affects all spheres of public life, and poses a real threat to the state, society, and every person. Presently, under martial law, corruption is just as dangerous as looting. By stealing budget funds, selling spare parts for military equipment to the aggressor country, and even selling humanitarian aid, corrupt officials actually work for the aggressor, which poses a serious threat to life, health, and other human rights and freedoms. This confirms the relevance of this study. The purpose of this study was to establish and characterize the interdependence of corruption and human rights and freedoms, to determine the consequences of the transformation of human rights and freedoms under corruption manifestations and the possibility of their prevention. The methodological framework of this study included dialectical, phenomenological, and synergetic approaches, as well as formal-dogmatic, formal logical, formal legal, systemic, and structural-functional methods. The conclusions state that there is an inversely proportional relationship between corruption and human rights and freedoms: the greater the scale of corruption, the less the ability to realize human rights and freedoms becomes. Violation of rights and freedoms is often a consequence of the activities of corrupt officials. Corruption undermines the credibility of state institutions, seriously obstructs the delivery of justice, the achievement of the rule of law, legal equality, and social justice. The duty to prevent corruption and any other illegal encroachments, and therefore to ensure the possibility of exercising rights and freedoms, is assigned to the state and civil society. The results of the study should contribute not only to curbing corruption, but also to creating conditions for real human and citizen security, which confirms the practical value of this study