STATEMENT
BY
Dr.
DOMINGOS MARIA SARMENTOS
MINISTER
OF JUSTICE
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF TIMOR-LESTE
On
the Occasion of the High-Level Political Conference for Signature the
Purpose
of Signing the United Nations Convention against Corruption
Excellencies,
Mr.Chairman,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the government of the
Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, I am pleased to
extend our congratulations on the successful conclusion of the United Nations
Convention on Corruption. This new Treaty, will guarantee transparency for the
people of the world making a real difference by enhancing safeness, quality of
life and the implementation of the principles of democracy, transparency and
good governance for all citizens of the State members of the United Nations.
As all of you are aware, the free and
independent Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste is a
new born country. We are the newest Democracy of this new millennium being
members of United Nations just since last year.
Nevertheless, our government wants to honor
this fact by signing and ratifying all the United Nations Treaties. We are
convinced that Democracy, Peace and Development only can be achieved under the
umbrella of Human Rights and the Rule of Law but above all, on the most
complete and perfect Transparency. As we all know, corruption is
internationally recognized as one of the major problems in world-wide
societies, one capable of endangering their stability and security, threatening
social, economic and political development and undermining the values of
democracy and good governance.
I am here today sharing the signature
of this Treaty, which will enhance cooperation between governments and help
standardize the way in which individual countries deal with corruption in their
national legislation. But also to inform to all of you that the Democratic
Republic of Timor-Leste is already working in our
measures to fight against corruption which must be established
urgently by creating
anti-corruption policies and anti-corruption legislation. Consequently, and in
order to accomplish both goals we will be devising a
special methodology which is being designed taking into account the following
suggestions:
1. It has to comprise the inventory of
measures for assessing the nature and extent of corruption, if any in Timor-Leste.
2. It would have to establish the
proceedings for deterring, preventing and combating corruption.
3. It would have to establish the ways
and means for integrating the information and experience gained from victorious
international anti-corruption strategies into successful national ones.
It is important to let you know that
the main principles of the Convention such as the needed norms of conduct for
public officials, greater transparency based on public access to information on
government businesses, and stricter procurement regulations and measures
against money laundering; will be incorporated in our national and domestic
law.
In this light and being clear regarding
the fact that Corruption is the natural enemy of the rule of law (particularly
destructive to society when it is installed within the institutions mandated to
enforce and safeguard the rule of law) is that on our draft proposal,
particular relevance is given to dispositions related to special proceedings for
investigate and punishment illicit enrichment, bribery and embezzlement.
Confiscation of assets obtained through corruption. Directives for registering
and declare public servants' income and assets. Several dispositions on the
liabilities of persons who perform public functions in certain posts have been
established in accordance to the National Constitution. Guarantees of immunity
and protection from retaliation for the source of information have been
proposed. Regulatory mechanisms creating oversight independent
bodies, encouraging participation of civil society and non-governmental
organizations, guaranteeing access to justice, obtaining information, meeting
the purposes of preventing, detecting, punishing, and eradicating acts of
public corruption.
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste through its Ministry of Justice is strengthening the
cooperation, assistance and support from the international community in order
to integrating all the information and experience gained from victorious
international anti-corruption strategies. We have decided that transparency
should be the cornerstone of our national programmed and a priority of the
Timorese Government.
Finally, I extend my gratitude to the
United Nations, the Government of Mexico, and to the Municipal and people of Merida for the hosting this momentous event.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
thank you for your attention and continuous support.