The rule of law vital to success of anti-corruption work in HK, says ICAC head
2013-11-25
Providing a secure environment for individuals and organisations and a level playing field for businesses, the rule of law was vital to the success of anti corruption work in Hong Kong, said the ICAC Commissioner Simon Peh Yun-lu.
Mr Peh made the remarks yesterday (Sunday) in his plenary address at the Seventh Annual Conference and General Meeting of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA) held in Panama City, the Republic of Panama.
The Commissioner noted that Hong Kong maintained an independent and effective judicial system which upheld the rule of law and safeguarded the rights and freedoms of individuals.
“The ICAC is responsible for independent investigation of corruption cases. The Department of Justice is independent in deciding whether the results of the investigation should lead to prosecution. A very clean and dignified Judiciary in Hong Kong rules in dependently on each and every case brought to court,” he added.
Mr Peh also told the participants that some recent ICAC investigations and prosecutions involving former and incumbent high ranking officials, and some top management of a public company had attracted wide media coverage, causing public concern about the corruption situation in Hong Kong.
While ICAC analysis showed that corruption remained well under control, Mr Peh pointed out that such prosecutions bore testimony to the Commission’s impartiality in pursuing every corruption case in strict accordance with the law, regardless of the background, status and position of the people involved.
He also cited a latest survey by the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department which found that corruption-free government, rule of law and independent judiciary were among the top five favourable factors affecting overseas companies’ decision to choose Hong Kong for setting up their regional headquarters or offices.
The Commissioner also noted that globalisation and advancement in technology in recent years had made corruption increasingly transnational and complex.
“These bring additional challenges to anti-corruption work and other law enforcement agencies worldwide, calling for continuous efforts to upgrade their professional capability and foster effective partnership.”
The IAACA is a non-governmental international organisation set up to promote international cooperation on anti-corruption and foster the implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. It comprises over 300 members from anti-graft agen cies and related organisations worldwide, including Hong Kong’s ICAC.
The IAACA Conference was attended by over 430 delegates from about 100 jurisdictions and eight international organisations.
Meanwhile, ICAC’s Director of Community Julie Mu Fee-man also addressed the Conference at a workshop entitled “Anti-corruption agencies in a changing world: independence, accountability and transparency”.
She told the delegates that as a responsive and progressive anti-corruption agency, the ICAC remained sensitive to changing public expectations while strictly adhering to the law and relying on the well established checks and balances mechanism to ensure its impartiality and accountability.
The Commissioner is attending the three-day IAACA Conference after concluding his duty visit to the United States and meetings with senior officials of law enforcement agencies, government departments and senior executives of international organisations b ased in the US.
The ICAC delegation will return to Hong Kong on Wednesday (November 27).
Mr Peh made the remarks yesterday (Sunday) in his plenary address at the Seventh Annual Conference and General Meeting of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA) held in Panama City, the Republic of Panama.
The Commissioner noted that Hong Kong maintained an independent and effective judicial system which upheld the rule of law and safeguarded the rights and freedoms of individuals.
“The ICAC is responsible for independent investigation of corruption cases. The Department of Justice is independent in deciding whether the results of the investigation should lead to prosecution. A very clean and dignified Judiciary in Hong Kong rules in dependently on each and every case brought to court,” he added.
Mr Peh also told the participants that some recent ICAC investigations and prosecutions involving former and incumbent high ranking officials, and some top management of a public company had attracted wide media coverage, causing public concern about the corruption situation in Hong Kong.
While ICAC analysis showed that corruption remained well under control, Mr Peh pointed out that such prosecutions bore testimony to the Commission’s impartiality in pursuing every corruption case in strict accordance with the law, regardless of the background, status and position of the people involved.
He also cited a latest survey by the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department which found that corruption-free government, rule of law and independent judiciary were among the top five favourable factors affecting overseas companies’ decision to choose Hong Kong for setting up their regional headquarters or offices.
The Commissioner also noted that globalisation and advancement in technology in recent years had made corruption increasingly transnational and complex.
“These bring additional challenges to anti-corruption work and other law enforcement agencies worldwide, calling for continuous efforts to upgrade their professional capability and foster effective partnership.”
The IAACA is a non-governmental international organisation set up to promote international cooperation on anti-corruption and foster the implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. It comprises over 300 members from anti-graft agen cies and related organisations worldwide, including Hong Kong’s ICAC.
The IAACA Conference was attended by over 430 delegates from about 100 jurisdictions and eight international organisations.
Meanwhile, ICAC’s Director of Community Julie Mu Fee-man also addressed the Conference at a workshop entitled “Anti-corruption agencies in a changing world: independence, accountability and transparency”.
She told the delegates that as a responsive and progressive anti-corruption agency, the ICAC remained sensitive to changing public expectations while strictly adhering to the law and relying on the well established checks and balances mechanism to ensure its impartiality and accountability.
The Commissioner is attending the three-day IAACA Conference after concluding his duty visit to the United States and meetings with senior officials of law enforcement agencies, government departments and senior executives of international organisations b ased in the US.
The ICAC delegation will return to Hong Kong on Wednesday (November 27).