It’s International Anti-Corruption Day… again
On yet another International Anti-Corruption Day, forces and entities in Portugal have been discussing how to tackle this “social disease” which appears immune to almost all previous ‘treatment’.
This year, the current minister for justice is promising “changes to strengthen the fight against this type of crime”, explain reports.
In an opinion piece published in Observador online, Ms Júdice announces that by the end of January the proposal for new rules on asset confiscation will be finalised.
Her message is that the government wants to reinforce oversight of local authorities, “where a significant part of corruption allegations are centred”, in order to combat this ‘social disease’.
The minister also announced that changes are in the offing to the structure of the National Anti-Corruption Mechanism (MENAC) – the structure that under PS Socialists was left without even a base, let alone equipment, for over two years, and which, a full year later, has not “effected any checks or applied any sanctions to infractions”.
“The Ministry of Justice will be submitting a proposal to the Council of Ministers for discussion and approval of an amendment to the Decree-Law establishing MENAC, which aims to create a collegiate management body, reduce the six-year non-renewable mandate to four years with the possibility of renewal, in line with the Accounts and Transparency Entities”, writes the minister, also describing the creation of a working group, which will draw up a proposal to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure, “in order to promote procedural speed and the effectiveness of criminal justice, particularly in the context of mega-proceedings”.
“Strengthening the means of fighting corruption means making the criminal justice system more honest and effective”, she continues.
As reports have observed, Ms Júdice is also concerned about “educating the younger generations in a culture of integrity”.
“With the Ministry of Education, we are preparing to include, within the scope of the National Strategy for Citizenship Education, a framework dedicated to promoting ethics and integrity. We also intend to adopt an approach in this content to the curriculum of the various disciplines, particularly in the context of school sport, in which the promotion of a culture of fair play is emphasised, with repercussions on the prevention of the manipulation of competitions and sports corruption”, she says.
International Anti-Corruption Day is marked annually in Portugal, and many would say “nothing really ever changes”. It is Portugal’s Groundhog Day, where movers and shakers of the times promise ‘decisive action’ every single year, invariably over the same failings.
This year, the day will be marked with a session in Marinha Grande, attended by the Attorney General of the Republic, and a conference in Pombal attended by Ms Júdice.
President Marcelo (on an official visit to the Netherlands) has marked the day on his official website, encouraging a “citizen’s uprising against corruption”. ND
Source: SIC Notícias/ Observador
