Financial Crime World

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Corruption Crackdown in Vanuatu: Progress Made, but Challenges Remain

A comprehensive report on the implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in Vanuatu has highlighted both successes and challenges in the country’s efforts to combat corruption.

Successes and Challenges

The report assesses Vanuatu’s progress in implementing Chapter III of the UNCAC, noting that the country has made significant strides in strengthening its anti-corruption framework. The Vanuatu Financial Intelligence Unit (VFIU) has been established under the Attorney General’s Office and is working closely with other law enforcement agencies to combat corruption.

The report also highlights the establishment of a reintegration program by Correctional Services, which aims to rehabilitate offenders and reduce recidivism rates.

Challenges to be Addressed

However, despite these successes, the report identifies several challenges that need to be addressed:

  • Ensuring that the definition of public officer covers all individuals who perform public functions, including those in public enterprises.
  • Criminalizing active bribery of foreign public officials and officials of public international organizations.
  • Clarifying the legislation to allow for the criminalization of trading in influence.
  • Criminalizing bribery in the private sector.
  • Ensuring that all forms of embezzlement and misappropriation are criminalized.

Key Recommendations

To address these challenges, the report recommends:

  1. Ensure that the definition of public officer covers all individuals who perform public functions, including those in public enterprises.
  2. Criminalize active bribery of foreign public officials and officials of public international organizations.
  3. Clarify the legislation to allow for the criminalization of trading in influence.
  4. Criminalize bribery in the private sector.
  5. Ensure that all forms of embezzlement and misappropriation are criminalized.

Technical Assistance Needs

Vanuatu has identified several technical assistance needs to improve its implementation of the UNCAC, including:

  • Summaries of good practices/lessons learned on criminalization.
  • Legal advice on model legislation and legislative drafting.
  • Capacity-building programs for witness and whistleblower protection programs.
  • Corruption-related training for law enforcement agencies.

Conclusion

Overall, while Vanuatu has made significant progress in implementing its anti-corruption framework, there is still much work to be done to address the challenges and ensure effective implementation of the UNCAC.