Maravi

UN expert calls for independent anti-corruption mechanisms

UN expert calls for independent anti-corruption mechanisms
By Florence Bupe
Wed 16 June 2010, 04:00 CAT

A United Nations (UN) expert on human rights and extreme poverty has advised the Zambian government to ensure the independence and capacity of anti- corruption mechanisms if the country is to effectively curb corruption.

Giving a report to the UN Human Rights Council at the ongoing 14th regular session in Geneva, Magdalena Sepulveda Carmona said it was crucial for the government to guarantee freedom of expression and an enabling environment for civil society participation in the fight against corruption.

Carmona undertook a mission to Zambia in August 2009 to carry out a study on the situation of Zambians living in extreme poverty and the importance of increasing investment in social protection.

Based on the study, Carmon concluded that corruption had continued to be an obstacle in the country’s fight against extreme poverty as resources were being misapplied and poorly accounted for.

“As acknowledged by the government, corruption is a serious obstacle. Corruption disproportionately affects the poor, especially in times when resources are limited,” Carmon stated.

“In order to effectively fight corruption, government must enhance accountability mechanisms. In such a context, it is crucial to ensure the independence of anti- corruption mechanisms.”

Carmon warned that corruption discouraged foreign investments and also reduced the net income of the poor, diverting resources investments in the public service that are crucial in the alleviation of poverty.

She lamented government’s level of development programme implementation despite the commitments pledged.

“The Zambian government has made clear commitments and drawn plans to improve the conditions of the population living in poverty. However, the level of implementation is insufficient to meet the immense challenges that the population faces,” she said.

She also cited the ravaging HIV/ AIDS pandemic as a major contributing factor to the country’s challenges in eradicating poverty.

But Zambia’s permanent representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations Darlington Mwape said the government was aware of corruption as a significant challenge to poverty alleviation efforts and had responded accordingly through the establishment of the National Anti- Corruption Policy of 2009.

Mwape also said other programmes such as those addressing food security were in place to enhance efforts against poverty.

Labels: CORRUPTION, DARLINGTON MWAPE

posted by MrK @ 12:03 PM