Signing Of UNCAC Is On Its Way
Wednesday, 02 November 2016 02:50 | Written by CTV3 Publisher | | Print | | E-mail
In accepting the sweeping changes to the nation's governance system pressed by the Opposition and social partners, Prime Minister Dean Barrow committed to signing the United Nations Convention Against Corruption on December 9th. Critics responded that the commitment by the Government was only a delay tactic since the global anti-corruption treaty could only be enforced upon ratification and not just signing.
Well, there's been a slight change of plans as today a Government press release indicated that to expedite the process, the Prime Minister would sign an Instrument of accession that would be submitted to the United Nations Secretary General to bring the treaty into force in Belize on that very day.
The release explains that prior to December 9th, however, the Senate will be meet in a Special Session to formally consider and approve a motion authorizing accession to the UNCAC. There is no explanation why it is that such an important motion isn't being put before the House of Representatives, but perhaps the Prime Minister is avoiding that stage.