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The Minister of Justice and Public Order welcomes the adoption of the Draft Law on the Establishment and Operation of the Independent Authority against Corruption and Bill on Transparency in Public Decision-Making Processes
Yesterday an important step was taken that paves the way for restoring the credibility of the institutions and the political system.
After a long discussion and intensive effort, the basis has been laid for satisfying an urgent social demand that is a top priority of the citizen: the first institutional shielding of the state and society against corruption phenomena, with a strong legislative framework.
The adoption of the two bills in conjunction with the bill on the protection of whistleblowers, which had already been passed by the Parliament, is a good start that makes us optimistic.
Transparency is now enshrined and the next major responsibility before us is the practical implementation of projects and the effective application of legislation.
Our country is now included in the list of the few European countries that have acquired a modern and comprehensive anti-corruption legislative framework, which is in line with the requirements of the European Union and the Council of Europe.
We do not expect that corruption phenomena will be eliminated with the passing of the bills. But we have the tools to prevent them, to identify them, to deal with them, to bring them to justice and, above all, to educate so that the phenomenon of corruption is understood and better handled.
At the heart of the legislative framework is the Independent Authority, which has all the necessary powers to successfully carry out its important work. A truly Independent Authority since it is not subordinate to any other department of the State and does not take orders and instructions from any official. It has its own budget and determines its own needs.
An advisory board shall be established consisting of a former judge of the Supreme Court, the President of the Cyprus Academy of Arts and Letters, the President of the Assembly of Rectors, the President of the PAC and the President of the FPC. It shall draw up a list proposing three persons for each post, after having informed and discussed it with the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs. The list shall be submitted to the President of the Republic to appoint the Commissioner and the members of the Authority. Members cannot be removed except through the same procedure followed for the removal of Supreme Court judges.
The Authority has expanded investigative powers to examine and evaluate information from citizens about possible acts of corruption, now protected by the bill passed on 20/01. It will have the power to request information from any person or agency, access documents and take testimony. Refusal or false provision of information to the Authority will be a criminal offence and will carry a prison sentence.
The third bill ensures transparency in decision-making processes in the public and wider public sector. Public officials and officials in the public sector must inform the Authority of all meetings they have with persons wishing to be involved in the decision-making process, who will be entered in a register kept by the Authority for transparency purposes.
All three bills that constitute the legislative framework are the result of a collective effort in the context of a dialogue conducted in a climate of consensus and goodwill. The Parliament has lived up to its role by placing unity, responsibility and responsiveness to society above its differences.
I would like to thank the members of the Parliamentary Commissioners for Legal Affairs and Institutions, the Cyprus Bar Association, members of civil society and all stakeholders who contributed to the formulation of the bills. I particularly thank the Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee who played a key role in the formulation and passage of the bills, as well as the Chairman of the Institutions Committee who worked methodically to complete the third bill.
I owe special thanks to the Attorney General and the Assistant Attorney General for their continued participation in the debate on the bills and for their catalytic interventions.
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Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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