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BEEFED UP ACT
Attorney General Freundel Stuart. (FP)
Published on: 11/24/2009.
by YVETTE BEST
LAWS ARE COMING to permit authorities to seize, freeze and confiscate assets of people found guilty of corruption in both the public and private sectors.
New clauses will be included in an updated Prevention of Corruption Act, which Attorney General Freundel Stuart said yesterday would deal with rising levels of corruption among enforcement officers in Barbados and the Caribbean.
Speaking at the opening of an anti-corruption workshop by the Regional Security System at Amaryllis Beach Resort, Hastings, Christ Church, Stuart told participants that the 1929 law was no longer adequate.
"Eighty years later, the realities that have unfolded before us are so much more complex, so much more difficult . . . . And we are intending to repeal it, and replace it by a Prevention of Corruption Act that is better suited and more relevant to the requirements of our present age," he noted.
While not disclosing how soon the legislation would be in place, Stuart said the act would target all public officials.
"Anybody who holds legislative positions, executive or administrative office; anybody who performs a public function or provides public services will come within the ambit of that legislation," he expanded.
The Attorney General said the new rules would make provision for a Prevention of Corruption Commission, "to which all persons captured by it will be answerable".
Corruption in the private sector and the issue of bribery would also be addressed by the new measures; as well as provision for the "proper" protection of witnesses.
Stuart said the urge to make money had led to "astounding" levels of corruption in societies in the Caribbean.
"Law enforcement officials at our ports of entry, customs officers, our immigration officers, our police officers are particularly strategically placed either to be proper watchdogs against the encroachment of corruption, or equally well-placed to be corrupted if their integrity is weak. The only antedote to corruption is strong integrity," he insisted.
He said values had become blurred in a lot of societies, and if those distinctions meant nothing to enforcement officials, one could not stop the "unrelenting march" of corruption.
He said levels of corruption among law enforcement agencies had deepened to the point where citizens were reluctant to come forward with information.
This was particularly evident in trans-national organised crime, he added, where the drug trade had proven to be able to corrupt the "incorruptible".
He said these issues had implications for national development and national security.
British High Commissioner Paul Brummel, whose country is assisting with the workshop, said there were a number of "rotten apples" in the British Metropolitan Police and they had undertaken several initiatives to root them out.
Noting that corruption impacted all levels of society, Brummel said the issue needed buy-in from politicians, the enforcement agencies and members of the society. (YB)
16 comment found!
New Laws. : 11/29/2009
Mr. Stuart, I heard you, but when this law past, hopefully before you die, is it going to affect everybody that break the law.. For example, the Lawyers downthere that take all the people money without any results. The Police- fr. the high up to the low ones & most importantly the "big boys". Who will be watching them? or do they have they own court in their private society.
Can the Office of the Govenor-General be made more transperant too? : 11/28/2009
The Office of the Governor General has a LOT of power but you don't get regular updates on what exactly the G.G. is engaging in, or signing off onto in this country.
Tell Me, Is It... : 11/26/2009
Would this law affect the "Little Boys Club?" We know that there is no fairness in Ba-bay-dus. It is not what you do, it is who that does it.
Good Dear!
Soon : 11/24/2009
Soon and very soon I hope this law will be passed. It always takes years to get anything done in Barbados so I hope in this 21st century we will see a change. Be sure to include those corrupt lawyers that has been a thorn in the sides of the people of Barbados and also overseas.
P.S. What happen with all de hoopla about Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill? : 11/24/2009
Whatever happen with all the talk???? That died out awfully quietly eh?
Corruption : 11/24/2009
Right on Mr.Attorney General....thank God for you...I was beggining to think that we had lost our way on the slippery slope to becoming Mexico or Nigeria I am relieved that at least one person on the rock is not fiddling while Barbados burns. Since neither the establish church nor any of our social organizations spoke out against the rampant corruption it is a relief that you are taking on this issue.Please make the Act retroactive and include a mandatory minimum 5 years jail time and confiscation of personal property as part of the sentencing for any offense involving public funds and\or trust.Be careful to eliminate the loop holes to prevent the smart men\men from hiding behind and using other smart men\women ,family , friends etc. It is downright scary to realize that Barbados has reached the stage where it has become necessary for us to legislate morality.....recent events\history demands that we do.
Attorneys need---- to be included in the bill : 11/24/2009
Somehow.... Barbadian Attorneys need to be included! Barbadian Attorneys need to be included! Barbadian Attorneys need to be included! I'm sure everyone in Barbados knows at least one person personally that has been wronged by one of our attorneys.
Before the end of time? : 11/24/2009
1929 LAW? Will the new law be passed another 80 years elapses? Will it be without loopholes, or will it have clauses and exemptions to allow some to escape? Will it freeze the bank accounts of the bigwigs too. What about Diplomats and some of their activities and allowances?
Retired.
To KK : 11/24/2009
Hats off to Mr. Stuart? why, he hasn't done anything yet, just talk so far; but I hope that something will be done about lawyers, the untouchables.
pass the LAW : 11/24/2009
please SIR; let this LAW be passed quickly;
it si long overdue; corruption has taken over and is ruling; in every strata is our socity; and societies; GREED and corruption seem to be the noem; this is not right; it was never right; but people has made it to be so in many places and in many cases; lets bring an end to this.,"THE LOVE OF MONEY " has taken over; every where; even the CHURCHES has become a part of this because many men and women who now stand in the PULPIT has become corrupt; they become GREEDY; the love for MONEY has overtaken many; they are being consumed with GREED; please pass the LAW, pass it soon and save our nation. GOD bless.
corruption : 11/24/2009
I look forward to such a law but it must include mal-practice as well so that it covers doctors,dentist,politictions and lawyers.
I hope that the honourable gentleman understands that this should include the Government as well.
A Nobody.
Beef up Act : 11/24/2009
It all starts at home. If you are going to enforce that act, then start within. Poor people there cannot get anything for their hard working dollar and many in certain positions own houses etc from the government thus disallowing the poor people to get something. Hope you will put the money where your mouth is. Good luck to you.
Bajan/Canadian
When : 11/24/2009
I will not hold my breath. Almost two years in office, and not one piece of integrity, transparency, accountability or freedom of information has materialised.
President Obama, in his first day in office, enacted ethics guidelines for his staff.
good law : 11/24/2009
bring it on the lust for money have turn a cat into a tiger greed have caused goverment to up tax to pay some bills yes public officials and MINSTERS we know where the cost /coss /caused goes to the hip national bank contractors geting contracts and dont know how to build or do the work thats why i was calling for a citezen review board with power no one is exzemp from the PM down crooked lawyers who are you going to run to hats off to you MR SRAURT
Start with the lawyers : 11/24/2009
About time that government identify a punitive process in dealing with corruption. I suggest the new guidelines should start with the crooked lawyers who have milked millions from vulnerable citizens. Indeed, seize their big houses and their fat bank accounts. I cannot wait to see some of these lawyers on their knees. I am sure there are many folks who would love to kick them while they assume that kneeling position.
LONG TALK : 11/24/2009
LOL : WHO IS GOING TO GUARD THE GUARD??? BARE
LONG TALK. SHHHHHHUUUUUUPPPPPPPEEEEEE
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