Page 23 - Islands Business September 2023

Corruption Corruption

promoting accountability, transparency, and equal treatment
under the law for all individuals, irrespective of their status or
position.
He said another challenge that judiciaries often neglect is
succumbing to public opinion.
“There is no argument that judges should not be fully
under the opinion of personal aspirations. But when judges
allow themselves to be swayed by public opinion or seek
fame through media exposing high profile cases, we risk
undermining justice. For example, if a judicial officer chases
media publicity to cater to popular demands, we all know
that personal interest can outweigh justice and lead to biased
decisions.
“Regardless of popularity, a judge should possess integrity
to deliver justice based on evidence no matter how popular
such a decision may become. Succumbing popular opinion
undermines the rule of law and erodes public trust in the
judiciary. This highlights the need for improved ethical
standards among judicial officers. Although these matters
are not openly discussed, I must emphasise that they are not
uncommon occurrences. It is essential to address and rectify
these issues if we are to fight corruption in a meaningful
manner.”
A range of other speakers from across the Pacific also (L-R) Justice Rangajeeva Wimalasena with Attorney General Siromi Turaga.
addressed the theme, “Fostering Pacific Unity to Advance
Anti-Corruption Efforts”.
The then Deputy Secretary General of the Pacific Islands
Forum, Dr Filimon Manoni told the conference that corruption
is the disease at the heart of much of the region’s problems. are some of the major challenges we fight against corruption
In the Biketawa Declaration, the Framework for Pacific in Kiribati, Meauke said.
Regionalism, the Boe Declaration on Regional Security Vanuatu Public Prosecutor, Josaia Naigulevu told delegates
and most recently, the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific that Vanuatu’s anti-corruption journey is unique.
Continent, “Forum Leaders have consistently emphasised the “Unlike many of your countries, Vanuatu has yet to establish
fundamental values of human rights and good governance a legal entity that we can call an anti-corruption authority,
of upholding democratic processes and institutions,” Manoni but it hopes to do so soon.
said. Naigulevu said Vanuatu also does not have dedicated anti-
“At the 2004 Forum Leaders meeting in Samoa, [Forum] corruption legislation.
Leaders recognised the important role that the United Nations “Vanuatu signed the United Nations Convention against
Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) plays in addressing Corruption on 12 July 2011. Between 2011 and 2020, the
corruption and encouraged members to “consider signing and experience has been somewhat varied and not coordinated.
ratifying the Convention to strengthen good governance in Perhaps one of the reasons is that there is an absence of an
accordance with the spirit of the Biketawa Declaration.” agreed national strategy,” he said.
“In 2020, Tonga became the last Forum member to accede “Public policy or public advocacy has been principally
to UNCAC. What does that mean for us as a region? undertaken by Transparency International Vanuatu in the
“It means that all Forum members have acceded to the capital city and in some of the provinces, and this has
UNCAC and our leaders have endorsed the Teieniwa Vision to appeared to be the only significant single work undertaken at
guide the region’s efforts in fighting corruption in our own a national level.”
Pacific-appropriate way.” Naigulevu made reference to the conviction of 14 members
“Meanwhile, the Teieniwa Vision is our blueprint that spells of Parliament including a number of senior members in 2015
out practical solutions for the challenges we face in our for offences of bribery and corruption. The case removed half
war against corruption,” Kiribati’s Senior Corruption Control of the government, precipitating a snap election in Vanuatu.
Officer, Kireata Meauke, reiterated. “It was an unprecedented event that witnessed a positive
Meauke said through its national anti-corruption strategy surge in public interest,” he said.
2023-2025, Kiribati aims to be a corruption-free society by the Naigulevu said Vanuatu is now developing a Prevention of
year 2036. Bribery Bill and a Protection of Whistleblower Bill with the
Outdated laws, lack of staff, limited financial capacity, assistance of the UNODC. “We hope to take these new bills to
rising inflation, and a mindless attitude towards corruption Parliament in time for its first session next year.”

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