Tonga Eager for Strong Focus on Preventing Corruption Featured
Lord Fusitu'a Chairman of Tonga Parliament Anti-Corruption Committee and Head of Delegation Addressing the Conference
9 November, 2015. Exercising its position as an observer nation to the Conference of State Parties (CoSP) in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation this week, Tongan Head of Delegation Lord Fusitu’a told delegates that the nation had already introduced many best practices expected of signatories to the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), including establishing the Pacific’s first Standing Committee on Anti-Corruption.
“Tonga also has in place legislative measures that echo the principles of UNCAC. We have passed a Money-Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act as well as a Computer Crimes Act and our Criminal Offences Act has been amended to deal specifically and strategically with the modernity of illicit enrichment,” Lord Fusitu’a, told delegates at the CoSP, which has 1,500 participants in attendance from 164 countries.
“We acknowledge the assistance of UNODC, UNDP and the United Nations Pacific Regional Anti-corruption (UN-PRAC) Project and the Global Organisation of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) for their initiatives in the Pacific which has resulted in Tonga being present and participating at this Conference.”
“Tonga has actively participated in numerous regional and international workshops of anti-corruption - the recent UN-PRAC assisted workshops with the media, CSOs and NGOs in Tonga and a briefing of Cabinet by UN-PRAC on UNCAC, as well as an initiative with the Pacific Islands Forum to develop a code of conduct for the Legislative Assembly that will involve disclosure of assets and other ethical and transparency based codes of behaviour both within and without the House.”
Lord Fusitu’a said that although the fight against corruption has been ongoing in Tonga for many years at a legislative, policy and practical level, it has been the recent cooperation with these partners in the Pacific that has seen the recent resurgence and political will to further these efforts, and in particular with reference to UNCAC.
In 2002, Tonga enacted the Commissioner for Public Relations Act. This Commissioner has been responsible pursuant to a Cabinet Decision to deal with both administrative and judicial review matters, as well as allegations of direct criminal corruption.
“This legislation establishes what we feel is a nation appropriate model for Tonga whereby the Anti-Corruption Commissioner will work in tandem with the Legislative Assembly and in particular the Standing Committee on Anti-corruption to receive and review corruption allegations with the Commission providing the investigative and judicially aligned duties and the Standing Committee providing review and oversight, with prosecution of corruption cases then referred to the Office of our Attorney General based upon these investigations and review,” said Lord Fusitu’a.
“With the momentum of the establishment of the Standing Committee, with the impetus and political will and encouragement from the Legislative Assembly, the Cabinet have sought from Privy Council that a Commissioner now finally be appointed.”
Lord Fusitu’a observed that the sovereignty of nations on the question of ratification is being strongly respected.
“As best as I am able to glean, the advice, guidance and assistance proffered by UNODC and by the institutions present towards, institutional and capacity-building has been in good faith cognizant of the fact that the ultimate question of ratification is a sovereign national one. I am also pleased to have observed that this has included a sensitivity to the particular needs of Small Island Developing States or SIDS and of the particular needs of my region of the Pacific. This is also something I would further encourage,” Lord Fusitu’a said.
Lord Fusitu’a has also supported other Pacific delegates to the UN’s peak conference on anti-corruption in wanting implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals to form a key pathway to tackling corruption and bribery in Small Island Developing States.
TONGA Media Release for CoSP head of delegation
7 comments
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Malo mu'a 'etau toe a'u mai ki he uike fo'ou koeni. Ne fai e puli ki motu feinga'i ha kilisimasi, pea peheange mai ne a'u ange 'a e tekinolosia ke hoko hoko atu 'etau felafoaki. 'Oku ou fie kole fakamolemole atu kia Pro Anti Corruption ko e faifai pea te fula hono faka'ita'i e hou'eiki,,,, 'oku 'i ai 'eku tali ki ho'o setesi kotoa 'i ho'o tali fo'ou mai, ka na'a ku 'osi palomesi kiateau he'ikai keu toe lea he issue koeni. Koia ai, teu fakangata ai leva na'a faifai kuo te talanoa kita ha fo'i video clip na'e tuvaki he internet pea fehu'ia ai e tu'unga kaunga 'i he 'elia mo ha fa'ahinga fakataha 'o e 'otu me'a na.
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Sifa and Pro-Anti Corruption it seems to me that you are both on the same boat but it's totally a misunderstanding in interpreting one's post I suppose. Anyway, I enjoy reading both of your views..cheers..
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I congratulate Sifa for "voicing" the hidden TRUTH. Although his first prose is not as perfect English like his second, I understood the moral of his messages clearly: We should not be embarrassed to reveal the truth. With all due respects, the Hon. Lord Fusitu'a missed a fantastic opportunity to shock the world, and the Tongan Government, (a) by revealing the greatest example of corruption in the history of Tonga; (b) and the guilty perpetrator - a powerful high-level Cabinet Minister - was set free by Parliament this year...courtesy of the Prime Minister and his pro-democratic party.
It would have damaged Tonga's reputation, and calls to blame Lord Fusitu'a for breaching protocols would surely piled on him, no doubt. But should we blame the messenger? It's the kind of "truth" shock Tonga needs to break the corruption culture perpetuated in Government at the highest level.
Since these high-level corruptions are protected by powerful men, the only recourse the public has left is some gutsy revelations through the media. And Sifa is also correct: workshops on "corruption prevention" are useless without brave people exposing them. -
Sifa - you are clearly offended! The expression which I'm sure you understand is to suggest that you are asking the wrong person. While you are clearly offended, I'll take the opportunity to thank you for your compliment for I am flattered. I do not write as well nor am I as educated as the parliamentarian but I will happily accept your compliment!
I encourage you to stay on topic and leave the talanoa fakafaikava at the kalapu kava-tonga. 'Oua 'e vave ke 'ita. Tuku e talanoa sio lalo ia he ko me'a 'ena 'oku ta'emahino ai 'ae Pule'anga Tonga. Koe fa'ahinga talanoa fkfaikava ko 'ena kae tuku e lao ia moe poini ki he tafa'aki. My point earlier was this, while I agree with you that the rule of law is paramount and should be upheld, I also share the same frustration due to the great injustices in the way the PM has chosen to execute his powers. But We must also try to recognise and positively support the work that is being done by many whether internally or externally, to represent the hopes and aspirations of their people and country to become a better nation. I recognise some positive work going on here, and rather then tear it to shreds, I chose to give it two thumbs up and to clearly state here that I am for a better Tonga with less corruption! And I'm sure that process will take time!
I believe the Nobles Representatives main role is to act as the opposition in our Legislative Assembly, but they are also the minority and in a democratic system, majority rules. We must address the majority to ensure that they are accountable for their decisions, and not prosecute the minority.
To that end, you are indeed barking up the wrong tree - no offence intended. -
Malo Pro Anti-Corruption or Lord Fusitu'a?
Editor approved my comment to this page, not my barking. I am human being not a dog (tuku e siolalo). I will direct my comment to PM or Speaker of the Parliament if 'rule of law is well enforced'.
The stated facts/opinion is the way I see and think, it may be direct or indirect view for instance ... Your Corruption Workshops attendance must have had an impact on the Parliamentary Circle/Decision Making Platform? Isn't it? Three members of your committee voted for the other side? Why? Your committee is dysfunctional if I may say, you did not perform enough to save your nation, why did the house perform the ballot? Something must have done to uphold justice other than ballot. What you have learnt/contributed from/to workshops are hot air. Bring home something solid to improve what is lacked today for a better tomorrow. We are sad to see the position that our Legislative Assembly reached. You are the agent of Tonga to those powerful platform. Do something. If, I were you, I will considered opinions for further improvement.
I am sorry for my free opinion/comment/barking ... I am sad for where we are now! I rest my case and present no further comment on the issue! -
Sifa - as the saying goes, you are barking up the wrong tree. Your comment should be directed at the PM or the Speaker of Parliament. This particular parliamentarian was the Chair of the Standing Committee that brought forward recommendations to the House for the impeachment or to commence the impeachment process of a so called corrupt Cabinet Minister.
Please learn your facts and provide a better informed opinion. Blank comments which you have provided above does not add anything constructive to discuss. -
Tonga Rep, please forego all the corruption workshops in the future, as your House of Parliament practice is not inline with what you are presenting. Your Parliament will enact laws as much as they can and never comply. Did you present to your UN friends and colleques that your parliament saved a corruption case by a No. 1 Minister of your current Cabinet? Your parliament is not trusted anymore. Your government governance promote corruption growth. Therefore your mission is fail.
Tell the world the truth, and itt will set you free.