Ambassador Lisa Shoman, Belize’s
Permanent Representative to the OAS, stressed that the fight against corruption is both a
hemispheric and domestic priority, and said the signing underscores her country’s
commitment to confront this problem.
"It is a signal honor and we consider
it of paramount importance to sign this Convention at this Assembly in San Jose, thus
fulfilling one of the mandates the people of Belize have given their government," she
said.
In opening remarks at the ceremony, OAS
Secretary General César Gaviria noted that the 1996 Inter-American Convention against
Corruption – the first treaty of its kind in the world – seeks to combat the
problem in all its forms. A strong democracy requires accountability and transparency, he
said.
Countries that are parties to the
Inter-American Convention against Corruption are required to adopt a series of measures,
such as passing domestic laws criminalizing the acceptance or solicitation of bribes by
public officials. The countries also agree to consider applying a series of measures to
prevent corruption and promote transparency in government.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines also
signed the anti-corruption treaty today at the OAS General Assembly. Twenty-nine countries
in the Americas have now signed and 22 have ratified the landmark treaty. Yesterday,
representatives of the ratifying countries formally agreed to establish a follow-up
mechanism to follow progress against corruption in states that have both signed and
ratified the Inter-American Convention.