Antigua and Barbuda ratifies OAS Convention against Corruption

Friday, January 16, 2004

ST JOHN'S, Antigua: Prime Minister Lester Bird on Wednesday affixed his signature to the document required to make Antigua and Barbuda a party to the Inter-American Convention against Corruption. In ratifying the Corruption Convention, the Prime Minister noted that the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda, by resolution, adopted this treaty or convention in March 2003.

"My Government has clearly indicated to our citizens, to the region, and to the states of this hemisphere that acts of corruption by any public servant, at any level, are unacceptable," the Prime Minister said. "Antigua and Barbuda is committed to transparency, integrity and efficiency in government, as evidenced by the willingness of Government to authorize Commissions of Inquiry, the Head of Government remarked. The document signed by the Prime Minister is to be deposited with the OAS Secretary General in Washington, D.C.

The Inter-American Convention against Corruption is the first anti-corruption treaty in the world. It commits the United States, Canada and the other 32 OAS countries, including Antigua and Barbuda to criminalize a wide range of corrupt acts while strengthening preventive measures. In addition, the Convention is designed to fight corruption among government and private-sector officials by strengthening cooperation on extradition, mutual legal assistance, and asset forfeiture for corruption-related crimes.

Former OAS Ambassador, Mr. Lionel Hurst, has noted that The Inter-American Convention against Corruption contains transparency measures, in its provisions, requiring the registration of income, assets, and liabilities of persons who perform public functions in certain posts. Ambassador Hurst notes that the Convention also encourages governments to require the establishment of a mechanism to ensure that publicly-held companies --and other types of public firms-- maintain books and records which accurately reflect the acquisition and disposition of assets. Companies must also have sufficient internal accounting controls to enable their officers to detect corrupt acts.

Antigua and Barbuda joins Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines in becoming the fourth OECS country to ratify this OAS Convention. 

  Back...

  Most popular articles: viewed, printed and e-mailed

  Printable version