UK government contributes to Seychelles’ anti-corruption efforts |03 July 2021
Ms De Sylva accepts the donation from BHC Lynch (Photo: Thomas Meriton)
The United Kingdom government is very pleased to support Seychelles as it seeks to make 2021 a turning point for anti-corruption, and this is one of many elements of work that demonstrate our shared values of democracy, integrity and transparency, British High Commissioner Patrick Lynch has said.
High Commissioner Lynch was speaking during a special ceremony yesterday where he handed over twelve laptop computers to the chief executive of the Anti-Corruption Commission of Seychelles (ACCS), May De Silva, as part of a package of support from the British government to boost anti-corruption efforts in the country.
The donation also included workstations (12 desks and twelve chairs) which will go towards the commission’s expanded team.
The programme of support includes a series of assistance measures to help tackle corruption.
The handover ceremony took place at the ACCS’ new offices at Providence.
The equipment will assist the commission in meeting the day-to-day needs of its team, following the government of Seychelles’ commitment to increase the number of investigators.
The UK package will also include the deployment of international technical experts to support the surge of activity in the investigation and prosecution of corruption cases.
It follows President Wavel Ramkalawan’s comments in the written press when commemorating International Public Service Day on June 23, where he placed emphasis on a trusted, professional and strongly-led public service that is efficient and working towards the betterment of Seychelles.
The increased capacity at the ACCS, coupled with the additional technical expertise, has the potential to provide a significant deterrent to corruption, which will lead to a considerable boost to the economy of Seychelles.
High Commissioner Lynch said, in the UK, Seychelles and across the world, communities recognise that corruption is not a victimless crime.
He added that every rupee that is lost to corruption is a loss to schools, hospitals and all of the other parts of the public sector that impact the life chances of the people of the islands.
“In order to stop corruption, it must first be exposed and then followed by effective and transparent judicial process to ensure that those who are guilty face appropriate consequences,” he said.
High Commissioner Lynch further added that this can also bring a significant economic boost at a time when countries across globe have been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, not just in terms of stopping the flow of vital resources into the hands of criminals, but also in returning illegally gained assets to the communities that they were stolen from.
“I am especially encouraged that the government of Seychelles and the ACCS have already developed a number of priorities for how the people of these islands can benefit from any assets that are seized in future convictions,” added High Commissioner Lynch who further noted that corrupt actors in any society cause immense damage to their own communities to satisfy their own greed.
He further noted that where this can be effectively challenged, we can promote trust, certainty and fairness.
“As we move out of the pandemic, this will be vital in rebuilding economies that attract investment and work for everyone,” concluded High Commissioner Lynch.
On behalf of the ACCS, Ms De Sylva thanked the British government for the donation and the support which she said has been ongoing since the inception of the commission, while welcoming future support.
She said the help comes at an opportune time for the ACCS which to date has submitted four cases to the office of the Attorney General, while working on other cases.
With its own prosecutor in place, Ms De Sylva said the ACCS will be in a better position to take more cases itself to the judiciary.
The ACCS was established under the Anti-Corruption Act 2016 which gives it authority to investigate, detect and prevent corrupt practices.
It is a self-governing, neutral and independent body which is not subject to the direction or control of any person or authority.
Its main functions are to enquire into and conduct investigation of offences; to file cases on the basis of enquiry or investigation and to conduct cases; to hold enquiry into allegations of corruption on its own motion or on the application of an aggrieved person or any person on his or her behalf; to perform the functions assigned to the Commission by this Act or under any written law; to review and recognise provisions of laws for the prevention of corruption and submit recommendations to the President for their effective implementation; to raise awareness and promote the values of honesty and integrity among people with a view to prevent corruption; to organise seminars, symposiums, workshops on the subjects falling within the functions and duties of the Commission; to identify various causes of corruption in the context of socio-economic conditions of the Republic and make recommendations to the President; to determine the procedure of enquiry, investigation, filing of cases and also the procedure of according sanction of the Commission for filing cases against corruption, and to investigate a public officer’s conduct which the Commission has reasonable grounds to believe is connected with corrupt practices, among others.
As mission, the ACCS is committed to fighting corruption through effective investigation, detection and prevention of corrupt practices for a corruption free Seychelles, while its vision is to be a robust institution that fosters a corruption free society in an environment of integrity, accountability and transparency.
Roland Duval