On last week Friday's newscast, we told you how the implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) was going to be delayed until mid-July.
Belize is ready for the next step of the implementation process, which is a country visit from experts representing the UNCAC nations Haiti and Tuvalu. But, because the experts from Tuvalu did not get the required travel documents to get to Belize for a February visit.
So, it's been pushed back by 5 months, and today the National Trade Union Congress of Belize sent out a press release complaining bitterly about the delay.
Their press release says, quote, "How can a small state of 10 square miles with a population of 11,000 inhabitants and no history of political parties, conduct an effective and independent assessment of Belize's compliance with the provisions of the UNCAC? The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) is appalled that the country visit is unduly delayed for five months for trivial reasons. This delay questions the real commitment of the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in its "going beyond the minimum" mandate to do battle against corruption in small states such as Belize." End quote.
The NTUCB release says that as a member of the UNCAC Steering Committee, they are well aware that this review process began last year June. They note that the reviewing states and Belize had been in constant dialog, and it was during these talks that the proposed dates were chosen. So, from their perspective, it is disappointing that the country visit is being delayed.
Their release ends quote, "Every day that our nation continues to suffer from corruption brings more misery to Belizeans and loss of millions of Workers hard earned money. NTUCB asks the following questions: How serious is the Government of Belize in its partnership with civil organizations and the Union to eliminate the scourge of corruption? Is the UNODC committed to its mission of battling corruption?" End quote.
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