The Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC) has cautioned lawmakers not to take steps to remove the Auditor General as a commissioner of the Integrity Commission. In a statement from JCC President the Most Reverend Kenneth D. Richards, follows several controversial recommendations from a Government lawmaker who is a member of the joint select committee of the Parliament examining the Integrity Commission Act.
They are urging Members of Parliament in general, and the members of the parliamentary committee which has oversight for the Integrity Commission in particular, to carefully examine the proposals which have been made to support and strengthen the Commission, in order to make Jamaica “the place to live, work, do business and raise families.”
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The JCC said it was “deeply concerned that, should these measures succeed, they will lead to diminution of the autonomy, independence and effectiveness of the Integrity Commission. On the contrary, the Council is opposed to such a move and affirms that the Integrity Commission is a critical part of our governance framework, invested with the important mandate of addressing the scourge of corruption in public office”.
“We strongly affirm that this effort to eradicate corruption is allied to, and in concert with other actions and initiatives which are directed at the fight against crime and violence. It is our view that the Commission does more than investigate and prosecute corruption of public officials. We are persuaded that it also provides balance and fairness to the overall fight against wrongdoing, which has primarily targeted people of low socio-economic means. Therefore, we call on Parliament to resist steps that will undermine the authority and functions of the Integrity Commission”.
The Council said it was aware of questions raised regarding apparent missteps that caused a furor regarding reports presented for tabling in Parliament and the concerns which have been raised by the Chairman of the Integrity Commission regarding the adverse rhetoric made in public statements by some public officials.
“We call on the Integrity Commission to take corrective measures where necessary, and our political leaders to refrain from actions which will undermine their own standing and regard for service of the Integrity Commission that is established to eliminate corruption,” it said.
