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The fight against corruption in the Pacific is strengthening as Tongan MPs reflected on their work under the United Nations Convention against Corruption and Teieniwa Vision. They also held their first meeting with the new Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Christopher Rahat, who took office on July 1.
The two-day event, “Strengthening the Role of the Tonga Parliamentary Anti-Corruption Commission: A Dialogue on the UNCAC and Teieniwa Vision” was hosted by the Tonga Parliament, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Global Group of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC). Participants included Ombudsman Alisi Afeaki Taumoepeau, the Honourable Dr. Aisake Valu Eke and the Honourable Samiu Vaipulu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice and Prisons.
Discussions focused on new laws to empower the anti-corruption commissioner, ensure its independence and establish reporting requirements to parliament. They also discussed establishing a code of conduct for parliamentarians, an asset register and a conflict of interest policy.
“Parliamentarians have a clear responsibility to address corruption in Tonga, but we also need to work with independent bodies,” said the Honourable Dr Ushilamorungi Fassi.
Deputy Prime Minister Vaipuru mentioned that the Cabinet Steering Committee was established on April 11, 2024 to lead the UNCAC review. He stressed that Tonga acceded to the UNCAC in 2020 and developed the Teieniwa Vision as an anti-corruption plan for the Pacific region.
Mary Kojos of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime praised Tonga’s move and said: “Tonga’s high-level cabinet committee could serve as a model for other Pacific governments.”
GOPAC Secretary John Hyde praised the lawmakers, noting their strong support for the United Nations Convention against Corruption and the appointment of an anti-corruption commissioner.
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