BRIBERY OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS IN DOMESTIC STATUTES AND MERIDA CONVENTION

Bribery is one of the most important instances of corruption offenses. United Nations Convention against Corruption considered bribery of national public officials as the first instance, and called on state parties to establish it as criminal offense in their domestic laws. This offense considered as an offense against public tranquility makes the public lose its trust to government and public affairs undermined and persons who do not deserve advantages obtain them by misuse. In this paper the elements of this offense in domestic laws and United Nations Convention against corruption are studied and compared. Also the responses to this offense and legislative discrepancies in this area are identified and recommendations are presented.