Penza, 27 September 2012. PenzaNews. Russian officials must report on their income for the last 20 years before ratifying Article 20 of the UN Convention against Corruption, criminalizing illicit enrichment by public officials. This opinion was voiced by the leader of the Russian Communist Youth, the Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee in Physical Culture, Sport and Youth Affairs, a member of the Communist Party faction Yuri Afonin during a meeting with journalists at the press center of news agency PenzaNews on Thursday, September 27.

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“For twenty years, some officials were legalizing their enormous fortunes. Let's take a look at the way many of them declared the property earned during this period of time. Such a measure, I think, should be done together with ratification of Article 20 of the UN Convention against Corruption,” Yuri Afonin pointed out.

He also explained what punishment the officials deserve for dishonest earning of their fortunes, according to his view.

“If society sees that major officials have income disproportionate to their previous wage, then it must become the reason for if not criminal responsibility, then, at least, release from the public service and inability to hold certain positions,” said the member of the State Duma.

The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) was adopted by the UN General Assembly resolution No. A/RES/58/4 as of October 31, 2003. It is a multilateral legal instrument reflecting the nature of corruption, offering a range of measures to combat this phenomenon.