PPP again voices concern over Transparency International’s credibility

THE credibility of Transparency International (TI) has once more come under scrutiny, with General-Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Clement Rohee, pointing out that the body’s evidence base is weak.

“The report is strong on perception of corruption, but weak in evidence. The persons who provide information are, in the main, known critics of the Government, including some with political axes to grind against the PPP and the PPP/C administration,” he said Monday, adding:
“It is no secret that Transparency International is driven by an Opposition agenda, and has been peddling canned and recycled stuff year after year, which has now become something of a mantra.”
TI’s admission, with regard to its methodology in compiling the report, has not served it well in debunking the mounting criticisms, at both regional and international levels, which continue to be laid at its doorstep.
One of several examples of TI’s questionable methodology is premised on the fact that Guyana has signed and ratified the Inter-American Convention against Corruption, as well as the United Nations Convention against Corruption, and is subject to reviews by both groups.
However, countries such as Barbados have been ranked above Guyana in TI 2014 Corruption Perception Index (CPI), despite the fact that it is not bound by any of these Treaties.
Barbados signed on to the Inter-American Convention against Corruption in 2001, but is yet to ratify it, which means that it is not bound by the stipulations of the Convention.
Guyana signed the same Convention in 1996 and ratified it in 2000. As recently as June 16, 2011, Guyana had designated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as its central authority to deal with matters related to the Inter-American Convention against Corruption.
Under its obligation, Guyana had is first review in 2006, the second in 2008, and the third in 2011. In September 2011, when the third-round review of all the countries was completed, the committee decided that the fourth round will include visits to countries, as well as a follow-up on the implementation of the recommendations that were made during the first-cycle review in 2006.
As it relates to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, the areas addressed include prevention, criminalization, international cooperation and asset recovery. Guyana signed on to the Convention in 2003 and ratified it in 2008. Barbados also signed the Convention in 2003, but is yet to ratify it. Under this Convention, some of the obligations are mandatory.

ADDRESSING CORRUPTION
Guyana has taken steps to address the issue of corruption. By becoming party to the two anti-corruption conventions, the country has undertaken obligations and expectations for the enactment of the standards and rules that are central to both conventions.
TI’s report, released recently, sees Guyana ranked 124th, with 30 points. Last year, Guyana was ranked 27th, one place up from the 28th spot in 2012. This year’s index includes 175 countries and territories.

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