AG supports common regional legislation to address corruption

…recommits Govt’s robust stance against corruption

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall has expressed preference for a blanketed legislation across the Caribbean to deal distinctively with matters of corruption.

He shared this view on Friday during a courtesy call with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Associate Programme Management Officer, Bo Shakira Harris and representative of the Crime and Prevention Office, Jason Reichelt. Also present at the meeting were Deputy Chief Parliamentary Counsel Joanna Bond and State Counsel Chevy Devonish.
The AG noted that with Guyana taking up the role of an oil-producing nation, this new sector brings with it new challenges, risks and responsibilities. Therefore, the Government has to take the requisite steps to build the regulatory framework that can address the issue of corruption in the various sectors.
The UNODC would have made the courtesy call to update him on the recently completed three-day Anti-Corruption Workshop in Guyana. The workshop was facilitated by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, with support from the UNODC and was aimed at building institutional capacity for reporting and fighting corruption.
Minister Nandlall was informed that Guyana is currently under review and UNODC came to support that process. Thus, the workshop focused on the checklist process which involves Guyana assessing itself against the UN Convention Against Corruption. After the checklist is completed, there is then a desk-based review where recommendations would be made highlighting how Guyana can strengthen its laws, polices and institutions dealing with anti-corruption. This will enable Guyana to fully implement the Convention.
The Attorney General reaffirmed that Guyana is committed to combatting corruption in all its forms and this is evidenced by the fact that the country has signed on to all major international anti-corruption agreements in the hemisphere.
He reminded that the Government has taken a strong stance against corruption and has instituted several legal proceedings tackling the corruption which permeated and flowed from the previous Administration both in civil as well as commercial courts.
On the issue of technical assistance, UNODC indicated that they provide assistance to countries in the preparation of legislation and review of draft laws and legislation. AG informed the officers that Impact Justice Caribbean has prepared a model Anti-Corruption Bill for the region. UNODC has indicated a willingness to review the said bill.
Last year, the US Department of State cited the lack of enforcement of anti-corruption laws under the previous A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Administration.
In its 2020 Investment Climate report, the State Department noted that perceptions of corruption persist in Guyana. It pointed to the Transparency International’s 2019 report, which ranked Guyana 85 out of 180 countries for perceptions of corruption, advancing 8 spots in comparison to 2018.
According to the State Department, corruption and a weak judicial system were among Guyana’s major shortcomings.
Among the relevant laws enacted that the State Department referred to are the Integrity Commission Act, State Assets Recovery Act, and the Audit Act.