Letter of the Day | We demand more transparency and accountability

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The Advocates Network, like many Jamaicans who want transparency and accountability in governance, joins the National Integrity Action (NIA), the Jamaica Accountability Meter Portal (JAMP) and the Integrity Commission (IC) in calling for the removal of Section 53(3) of the Integrity Commission Act (ICA).

This section, referred to as the “gag clause”, prohibits the IC from informing the public about “the initiation or conduct of an investigation under the act”.

At a time when lack of public confidence in the actions of government officials is at an all-time low, knowledge that corrupt actions are being investigated can contribute to restoring public confidence. It can also encourage the public to provide information that may aid in the investigation.

This is in fact the objective of the IC, to “enhance public confidence that acts of corruption and impropriety committed by persons exercising public functions will be appropriately investigated and dealt with in a manner which achieves transparency, accountability and fairness” [Sec 3(d) ICA].

In her presentation to the joint select committee of Parliament (July 6, 2022), JAMP’s executive director, Jeanette Calder, indicated that despite the creditable inroads made in the formation of a single anti-corruption agency, there are gaps that have led to the disbanding of access to our government online contract award database and the blockage of public access to information on parliamentarians being prosecuted under this anti-corruption legislation. “This weakens the efforts and investment made to fight corruption,” she noted.

Jamaica stands alone in the world among comparable anti-corruption agencies with this unacceptable gag clause. We, therefore, agree with NIA that Jamaica should look to models across the world, in particular New Zealand, where, according to NIA’s principal director, Professor Trevor Munroe, “there is no gag clause with an absolute prohibition against disclosure in relation to the start of an investigation. At the same time, there are comprehensive criteria to guide when and whether to disclose.”

Public confidence is needed not only to ensure that government officials act with integrity, but also to ensure that the IC is doing its job in investigating suspected acts of corruption.

Taxpayers will provide $1.15 billion this year to support the work of the Integrity Commission. We demand more transparency and accountability!

THE ADVOCATES NETWORK