CYPRUS must introduce stricter anti-corruption laws and actually implement those that already exist, House Watchdog Committee chairman Christos Pourgourides said yesterday.
But the Disy deputy, who has been prominent in efforts to stamp out sleaze from public life, said corruption could never be totally eradicated from society as it was part of human nature, adding that in Cyprus the issue had only come to public attention in recent years.
No single law would suffice to make a real difference, he said: "thousands of amendments are needed."
Speaking during a briefing to publicise a seminar on corruption this Saturday, Pourgourides said his Disy party would be making specific suggestions on the issue to the government and to fellow political parties.
Disy’s suggestions included the further strengthening of the Auditing Service and the broadening of the Auditor-general’s and Accountant-general’s jurisdictions, he said.
The party is also proposing a reduction of the income tax coefficient so that tax-evaders would receive less sympathy in society.
"What we need to do is to change mentalities so that people no longer think of tax-evasion lightly. Currently it is almost something that gives people street credibility."
The party will propose the setting up of a hotline, where employees can anonymously pass on information about suspect colleagues or superiors.
"This method has been very effective in other countries and should be especially successful in a small place like Cyprus where people are loathe to turn their bosses in because of their fear of being found out."
Pourgourides said an anonymous tip-off would never be used to condemn someone, but would rather act as a springboard for an investigation.
Another proposal on the cards is to bar senior government officials from taking jobs in the private sector after their retirement, especially in sectors that come into regular contact with the government service they have just left.
Government officials should also be obliged by law to present financial statements every five years, Pourgourides said.
In his role as Watchdog Committee president, Pourgourides spearheaded a 1998 campaign against former Interior Minister Dinos Michaelides, against whom he made a string of bribery charges.
Michaelides was eventually acquitted of all the charges, but resigned shortly afterwards.
Saturday’s seminar on corruption is organised by Disy and entitled ‘A new century with less corruption and more honourable management’.
It will take place from 9.30am to 1.30pm at the Forum Intercontinental hotel in Nicosia.
Speakers include Attorney-general Alecos Markides, Auditor-general Chrystalla Yiorkatzi and a host of experts representing the European Union as well as representatives from the Greek and Italian governments.
