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Enforce anti-graft laws effectively, say donors
2007-03-30 08:53:04
By Lydia Shekighenda
Development partners are of the view that the fight against corruption will only be of real if the proposed law on graft is enforced effectively.
They said passing Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bill should be followed by effective law enforcement capacity, statutory oversight agencies and public participation.
Presenting the comments by development partners to the Constitutional, Legal Affairs and Public Administration Committee, Denmark Ambassador Bjarne Sorensen said that the Act should also clarify the conditions under which information would be shared between agencies.
He said that development partners commend the government for the efforts to domesticate international and regional instruments on anticorruption.
The Bill intends to widen the scope of offences, protection of informers and officers of the bureau from civil and criminal proceedings while exercising their official duties, Sorensen noted.
He further recommended that effective independence of the proposed (Prevention and Combating Corruption Bureau (PCCB) would contribute to transparent and public process in the appointment of senior officials.
The proposed PCCB would phase out Prevention of Corruption Bureau(PCB).
They said the performance of the judicial system would determine whether combating corruption is effective or not.
The development partners, however, acknowledged that punishing corruption will not only combat corruption in itself.
They recommended that the bill should also focus on other measures aimed at deterring corruption such as civil forfeiture and whistleblower and witness protection.
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