Proposal to modernise appointment of investigating committees

MAIN opposition DISY and the Green party have table proposals to modernise the appointment of investigating committees, currently appointed exclusively by the cabinet based on antiquated legislation.

The move came after parties had disputed the objectivity of an investigator appointed by the cabinet to look into the deadly July 11 blast and assign responsibility wherever it may lie, including the president.

The cabinet’s power stems from legislation drafted in the 1940s, which apparently no one had thought should be changed until now.

DISY’s proposal, presented by its leader Nicos Anastassiades, gives the authority to the attorney-general to appoint investigators when the case concerns the president, the cabinet or independent state officials.

Anastassiades said the purpose of the proposal is to amend the dated law in order to confer objectivity to any committee set up to investigate the president and his ministers or any independent state officials.

The proposal spells out the qualifications of the investigators whose findings should be made public except appendices containing references to national security issues.

The Green party proposal provides for such committees to have at least three members and their findings to be published in the government gazette.

Doing so would make it an accepted official document.

Attorney-general Petros Clerides voiced his reservation since he does not exercise any administrative authority, but he did add that it would not be a “mortal mistake” if he is given this power.

The country’s top lawyer also said that publication of the findings should also take into consideration protection of criminal cases, even if they are in court.

He said that if any committee wants to make any reference to criminal responsibility, it should be included in an appendix that will not be published.

As regards the number of members, Clerides said a one-member committee (the current scheme) is more flexible and effective.

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