A Washington, D.C.-based non-profit think tank named Global Financial Integrity has signed an MOU with the Belize Policy Research institute and Belize Network of NGOs.
They're compiling a report identifying gaps in Belize's anti-corruption legislation. Today, they held a governance and integrity session with the media and other stakeholders. BELPRI's executive director told us more.
Dr Dylan Vernon, Executive Director, BELPRI
"So this analysis is basically showing that we go have in Belize a framework for anti-corruption that on paper is strong in some areas but the legislation has some gaps that could be improved and should be improved and we make recommendations in those to ensure that there is more enforcement. The short finding of the report of the analysis is that while we have some of the legislation enforcement is hampered by the legislation also having gaps and the three big things coming out of this would be 1, there's a lack of coordination among the bodies that are responsible for implementing the various pieces of legislation, some of the pieces of legislation do not have implementing bodies at all, and that also prevents the enforcement. But there's also in the context of the legislation themselves taken together a lack of implementation because of a lack of awareness and the overall structure of impunity from illegal activity under corruption when they do happen."
Claudia Hernandez, Program Manager, GFI
"The report is based on the analysis of at least 11 legislations, domestic speaking, but also international standards and we also identify at least 18 institutions that are a part of this transparency and integrity system so we classify them in high priority medium and low priority so there are some recommendations of this legislation domestically speaking."
Tonight they are holding a session for youths.
