Assembly ratifies UN convention against corruption |09 November 2005

The motion seeking the ratification of the convention was presented yesterday by the Leader of Government Business in the Assembly, Honourable Patrick Herminie, who said it was time for the country to take a firm stance against what he described as a 'virus' ravaging societies all over the world, leaving in its path impoverished and unstable nations.

Citing numerous steps taken over the past few years to promote transparency and good governance in the country, Hon Herminie said the move was a clear indication that the SPPF government was fully committed in its fight against corruption.

Among the measures he mentioned included the setting up of a National Tender Board, an independent Central Bank, a more stringent Code Penal, new policies that are being prepared for Declaration of Assets and the new Investment Code, the enactment of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, the repeal of the EDA and the ratification of several UN conventions against detrimental practices that could undermine development.

Seychelles, he said, was a flourishing democracy and the fact that our people can question freely decisions that are taken, showed that transparency exists in the country.

By ratifying the convention, he said, Seychelles was sending a clear message to other world leaders that it does not tolerate corruption. The country, he said, was taking an exemplary decision considering the fact that the majority of EU countries and the USA, which claims to be the champion of democracy, have not yet ratified the convention.

Members who intervened, namely the Leader of the Opposition Honourable Wavel Ramkalawan and Hon. Dick Esparon, focused on the hypocrisy which exists among world powers, who dictate the democratic principles that other governments should follow, while at the same time disregarding these same principles when it comes to defending their national interests overseas.   

Hon. Esparon said the convention fails to condemn the injustice and corrupt practices that exist in the economic relations between the rich and poor countries and the exploitation of resources in impoverished states by trans-national companies.

Hon. Ramkalawan said Seychelles should always take a firm stance against countries which use corrupt methods to pressure others and nor should it bend to their rules.

Both Hon. Rukaiya Jumaye and Annette Georges agreed that new legal mechanisms would have to be set up to conform with the provisions in the convention, such as the preventive anti-corruption policies, to render their implementation more efficient.

Hon. Nicholas Prea and Collin Dyer spoke about alleged cases of corruption in the country, while Hon. Charles de Commarmond called on members to put the past behind them and put aside their differences so that Seychelles can take a leading role in such a historic event. The country, he said, could show world powers that despite its small size, it too has a powerful voice in world affairs.

The convention was signed in October 2003 by 133 countries and until now only 35 have ratified it. 

It will come into force in mid-December next month.

Yesterday's Assembly sitting was chaired by the Deputy Speaker Hon. Shelton Jolicoeur, in the absence of Speaker Francis MacGregor.