Expressing concern about “pervasive” corruption in Guyana as well as “ineffective” anti-corruption mechanisms, a United Nations (UN) body has recommended that government undertake several measures including strict application of anti-corruption laws, to battle the scourge.
“The Committee is concerned that corruption, which has a devastating impact on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, is pervasive in the country, including relating to the procurement by public authorities of goods and services as well as public works contracts,” the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) said in its concluding observations on Guyana’s recent presentation to the committee.
The APNU+AFC government has been in place only since May and the concerns about corruption would relate to the tenure of the PPP/C administration.
The committee is also concerned “that the institutional framework to counter corruption within the Government is weak and ineffective and thus unable to prevent or effectively prosecute cases of corruption.”
The CESCR is the body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the International Cove-nant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights by States that have signed on to the Covenant. All State parties are obliged to submit regular reports to the Committee on how the rights are being implemented. States must report initially within two years of accepting the Covenant and thereafter every five years. The Committee examines each report and addresses its concerns and recommendations to the State party in the form of “concluding observations.”
Guyana last month appeared before the 56th session of the CESCR in Geneva, Switzerland. In his presentation, Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman told the committee that every effort is being made by government to address challenges to development such as violent crime, high rates of unemployment, corruption, and prolonged ethnic divisions.
In its “concluding observations” report issued on Monday, the committee expressed concern at corruption in Guyana. It recommended that Guyana address the root causes of corruption, including through enhancing the transparency, participation and accountability in conducting public affairs.
It also urged government to undertake effective steps to combat impunity in cases of corruption through strict application of anti-corruption laws and prosecution of cases of corruption.
The APNU+AFC government has made several allegations of corruption under the former PPP/C administration but thus far, few charges have been filed. “You cannot have a situation like in the PPP where they were prepared to accept low salaries because they were thiefing money all over the place. We are not going to do that, our ministers will have to sign to a code of conduct, a code of service which requires them to act at a different level and so we have to pay people well if you want them to perform,” Minister of State Joseph Harmon had told reporters recently in justifying a 50% increase in the salaries of ministers.
Meantime, the rights committee also recommended that government strengthen mechanisms and procedures entrusted with the task of combatting corruption and ensure its cooperation with human rights institutions. It urged government to strengthen the responsiveness of the judiciary to corruption, ensure effective protection of victims of corruption and their lawyers, anti-corruption activists, whistle-blowers and witnesses. The body also urged government to address incidences of corruption involving the toshaos as representatives of indigenous communities.
The committee encouraged Guyana to seek technical assistance from relevant international and regional organizations in combating corruption.
