Discussions on the bill for the establishment of the Independent Anti-Corruption Authority have been completed, the Bill on Transparency in the Public Decision-Making Process and the Bill on the Establishment of a Commercial Court and a Maritime Court
At the end of the meetings of the Parliamentary Committees on Legal Affairs and Institutions, the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Ms Stefi Drakou, informed on the completion of the discussions on the Bill for the Establishment of the Independent Authority against Corruption, the Bill providing for Transparency in Public Decision Making and the Bill for the Establishment of a Commercial Court and a Maritime Court.
To begin with, the Minister said that the meeting of the Legal Affairs Committee discussed the amended Bill on Establishment of the Independent Anti-Corruption Authority, which was prepared by the Ministry based on the suggestions made by the members of the Committee at its previous meeting. Referring to the points that have been amended she noted: "The first relates to the appointment of members, the creation of an advisory council and the involvement of Parliament in the formulation of the recommendation to be submitted to the Council of Ministers." Also, with regard to the second issue on the strengthening of investigative powers, the Minister explained that: "We have tabled, based on these recommendations, amendments to strengthen the powers which have been debated. There are some clarifications that I have undertaken to give and the discussion has been completed. I hope that as soon as possible it will be forwarded to the House for a vote."
In relation to the Transparency in Public Decision Making Bill discussed before the Committee on Institutions, the Minister said: "The debate continued on the issue of transparency, which is the second bill that completes the legal framework against corruption. I recall that there are three bills. One is the Establishment of the Authority, the second is the one that gives protection to those who give information, which has already been passed by the Chamber of Deputies, and the third is transparency in policy decisions. The debate in this Committee has also been completed. There are some issues that will be further clarified and where necessary amendments will be tabled. We hope that both bills will be brought to the House of Assembly as soon as possible in order to fulfil our obligation to society and provide a proper legislative framework against corruption."
In response to a reporter's question in relation to the pending bill to amend the constitution and introduce the English language in relation to the Commercial Court and the Maritime Court, the Minister said: "In the Legal Affairs Committee, the debate on the Bill for the Establishment of Commercial Court and Maritime Court has been concluded. As it was the recommendation of the majority of the members of the Committee that the English language should also be allowed to be used, the Constitution should be amended accordingly. This amendment bill has already been approved by the Council of Ministers and has been sent to Parliament to be put to vote in the next plenary session of Parliament."
Finally, the Minister, commenting on a journalist's question on the issue of femicide raised by the Speaker of Parliament, which will be discussed at the upcoming session of the Legal Affairs Committee, made it clear that she is ready, if invited to the Legal Affairs Committee for further discussion, to present the Ministry's proposals and views again.
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