The work of the Conference of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE CSCE) continues with the theme: "Fighting Corruption, Defending Democracy: The Role of National Parliaments", hosted by the House of Representatives. In the first session of the conference, the role of national parliaments in preventing and fighting corruption was discussed. OSCE Chairperson and Special Representative on Combating Corruption, Ms Irene Charalambidou, one of the main speakers in this session, said that citizens pay heavy economic and social costs due to corrupt practices. Ms. Charalambidou stressed that parliamentarians, as elected representatives of the people, must play a leading role in preventing and combating this phenomenon. As a result of their legislative and oversight role, Parliaments have the means at their disposal to achieve this, the Cypriot MP stressed.
Ms Charalambidou also noted that Parliaments must use this role effectively, especially in the context of approving the state budget, in order to fight corruption. She stressed that it is of the utmost importance that the laws adopted are sufficiently strict so that there is no room for circumvention. Ms Charalambidou referred by way of example to the legislation unanimously passed by the House of Representatives, on her own initiative, on the protection of whistleblowers. She also stressed the importance for Parliaments to ensure the avoidance of conflicts of interest, but also to guarantee the freedom of the media, so that they can effectively play their role in defending democracy.
Ms. Charalambidou stressed the need for all political parties to cooperate so that Parliaments can effectively exercise their supervisory role, in cooperation with the relevant independent institutions. She also stressed the important contribution that Parliaments should have in strengthening the voice of citizens, through their active cooperation with civil society and through their continuous awareness-raising on corruption issues. At the same time, Ms. Charalambidou described as imperative the need for Parliaments to enact laws to combat corruption within their ranks. In this regard, she noted the important steps taken by the House of Representatives in this direction.
Finally, Ms. Charalambidou referred to her activities as Vice President and Special Representative for the Fight against Corruption, highlighting in particular her initiative to promote a Code of Conduct for members of the CC.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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