International Anti-Corruption Day is celebrated
Robert Lopez
On October thirty-first, 2003, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the UN Convention against Corruption. The Assembly also designated December ninth as International Anti-Corruption Day, to raise awareness of corruption and of the role of the Convention in combating and preventing it. While Belize is among few countries that are yet to sign on to the instrument, Vision Inspired by the People commemorated the International Anti-Corruption Day for a third consecutive year with a small protest in Belmopan. Activities, according to VIP spokesperson Bobby Lopez, include picketing the National Assembly Building on Tuesday.
Robert Lopez, Vision Inspired by the People
“Tomorrow the world community celebrates and observes International Anti-corruption Day which came into effect in 2003, so we’re now twelve years and counting. As you know Belize is one of the few countries that continues to refuse to sign on to this convention, it makes us look bad. But the V.I.P. has continuously, religiously made sure that we have been in solidarity with the world and we highlight this day in as best a way as possible. In fact, I would like to remind him of his promise, almost verbatim when he said that we will partner with our international partners and community to bring back, I think he was referring to laundered money at the time, but to make sure that all of this, whatever public funds have been laundered or left the country comes back to Belize. Mr. Barrow please quit using these borrowed monies, our hard earned tax dollars that we pay you and just abusing and misusing it the way we see you doing it and it’s just getting worse. And so tomorrow, the V.I.P. once more will stand courageously, we’re not afraid to stand and let the world know and of course our fellow Belizeans know that we will not be quiet on this issue.”
According to the U.N., corruption undermines democratic institutions, slows economic development and contributes to governmental instability. Corruption attacks the foundation of democratic institutions by distorting electoral processes and perverting the rule of law.
