The Attorney General’s Chambers recently hosted a delegation from the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) as part of an in-depth review of Saint Lucia’s anti-corruption efforts. The review aims to strengthen the country’s legal and institutional framework while identifying opportunities for improvement in preventing corruption and enhancing asset recovery measures.
This assessment follows a previous review conducted in 2011, which focused on anti-corruption safeguards within the Public Service, including policies on recruitment, promotion, and whistleblower protection. Permanent Secretary in the Attorney General’s Chambers and Chair of the National Anti-Money Laundering Oversight Committee (NAMLOC), Juliana Alfred, emphasized the importance of this follow-up process in advancing Saint Lucia’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
“As part of the last review, Saint Lucia developed an anti-corruption policy through the collaboration of key stakeholders, including the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, various government departments, and the Integrity Commission,” Alfred stated. “A number of action plans were established, with agencies committing to specific initiatives. One key issue raised was witness protection, and I am pleased to report that the government is now finalizing the necessary legislation. This draft legislation has already been circulated for stakeholder feedback, with consultations set to follow.”
Tanja Santucci, Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), explained that her office serves as the Secretariat for the UNCAC implementation review mechanism. She highlighted that Saint Lucia’s review is being conducted by peer states Grenada and Brazil, with oversight and support provided by the UN Secretariat to ensure a thorough and objective evaluation.
“The review is always hosted and organized by the state under review,” Santucci noted. “Its purpose is to assist states in fully implementing the UN Convention Against Corruption. The principles of the convention guide the assessment, with the goal of strengthening legal and institutional frameworks not only in Saint Lucia but in all participating countries.”
The review is structured into two cycles: the first examines the criminalization of corruption and international cooperation, while the second focuses on corruption prevention and asset recovery. Alberto Martinez Garcia, Associate Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer at UNODC, underscored the importance of a multi-layered approach to tackling corruption, combining enforcement with proactive prevention strategies.
“Preventing corruption is a broad and complex task,” Garcia explained. “The convention outlines various measures that all states must comply with, from ensuring judicial independence to enforcing anti-corruption policies in areas like public procurement. This review will help determine whether Saint Lucia has fully implemented these provisions or where further efforts are needed.”
A cross-section of government departments, agencies, and civil society representatives actively participated in the country review, providing feedback on existing mechanisms, identifying potential gaps, and offering recommendations to enhance the current framework. The findings from this review will contribute to Saint Lucia’s ongoing efforts to uphold integrity, strengthen institutional governance, and combat corruption at all levels.