Public Service Union’s Anti-Corruption Day message reflects on past corruption, calls for unified fight going forward

Published by BBN Staff at December 9, 2020

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Posted: Wednesday, December 9, 2020. 5:59 pm CST.

By BBN Staff: The Public Service Union issued a statement today marking the commemoration of International Anti-Corruption Day, which took a look at some of the failures of the previous government and calling for unity in fighting corruption in the future.

The PSU noted that on December 9, 2016, as the world observed “International Anti-Corruption Day”, the Government of Belize (GOB) signed onto to the United Nation’s Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). The UNCAC, which contains five main components: Preventive Measures; Criminalization and Law Enforcement; International Cooperation; Asset Recovery; and Technical Assistance and Information Exchange is geared towards preventing corruption, including domestic and foreign bribery, embezzlement, trading in influence, and money laundering.

However, the former administration never fully implement the convention. The Union noted that the failure to implement came after receiving the country report that former Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte said was needed to commence implementation. Looking to the future, the PSU called on public officers to do their part in the fight against corruption.

“Let us, therefore, respect the laws and regulations by which we are governed under the Constitution of Belize. The Union reminds all Public Officers that PSU does not support corruption and will do its utmost best to partner with the Ministry of Public Service to inform and sensitize Public Officers about the negative impacts of corruption and the need for its eradication within the Public Service of Belize,” the PSU said.

GOB, under the leadership of then Prime Minister Dean Barrow, signed onto the UNCAC in 2016, conceding to the demands of the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU), which shut down schools countrywide for 11 days in a campaign demanding good governance.

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