Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697730119036.pdf (Fiji)
STANDING COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE, LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS Consolidated Review Report on the: Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Annual Report 2014 and Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Annual Report 2015 PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF FIJI Parliamentary Paper No.
75 of 2019 Published and Printed by the Department of Legislature, Parliament House, SUVA May, 2019 Page 1 of 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAIR’S FOREWORD ............................................................................................................ 3 1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 4 2.0 COMMITTEE DELIBERATION AND FINDINGS ........................................................ 4 3.0 GENDER ANALYSIS .......................................................................................................... 5 4.0 RECOMMENDATION ........................................................................................................ 5 5.0 CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................................... 5 Page 2 of 7 CHAIRPERSON’S FOREWORD The Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights of the last term of Parliament was referred the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Annual Report 2014 and the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Annual Report 2015, by this August house and was tasked to review these Annual Reports.
The same reports have been re-instated in this new Parliament and have been referred to the current Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights.

Just as the previous Committee, the current Committee was mandated by Parliament to review these Annual Reports and report back to Parliament on its findings.
The Committee deliberated on the Reports concisely and noted a few pertinent matters in its contents including:  aspects of the awareness programs of FICAC and its effectiveness;  aspects of the process of investigations and the various forms of complaints that come under the ambit of FICAC;  FICAC’s policy and structure with respect to the protection of whistle-blowers;  FICAC’s human resource and its ability to provide the necessary services; and  certain discrepancies in the Financial Statements of the Report.
These matters were discussed with the representatives of Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption and were appropriately clarified.

Consideration was also given to the requirements of the Standing Orders of Parliament pertaining to the impact on gender when deliberating on the Annual Reports, however the Committee appreciated the apparent gap in placing emphasis on such requirements when the Reports were drafted and tabled in Parliament.
At this juncture I would like to acknowledge the Members of the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights of the last term of Parliament for their effort and input, which our Committee also relied on during the review process and in formulating this report.

My Committee utilised the salient information noted from the previous Committee to assist it in the direction for its review.
I would also like to thank the Honourable Members of the current Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights, Hon.

Rohit Sharma (Deputy Chairperson), Hon.

Ratu Suliano Matanitobua, Hon.

Dr. Salik Govind, and Hon.

Mosese Bulitavu for their deliberations and input, the alternate members who made themselves available when the substantive members could not attend, the secretariat and the officials from the Office of the Prime Minister who had assisted in the Committee work.
I, on behalf of the Committee, commend the Committee’s Report on the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Annual Report 2014 and the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Annual Report 2015 to the Parliament and request all the members of this August House to take into consideration its contents.
Page 3 of 7 1.0 INTRODUCTION The Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights (“Committee”), was referred the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Annual Report 2014 and the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Annual Report 2015 (“Reports”) for review, on 6 July, 2015 and 26 September, 2016 respectively.

In reviewing the Reports, the Committee resolved that it would be appropriate to have a consolidated Report.
The Committee conducted its own deliberation and invited the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption to clarify issues pertaining to the Reports.

This review outlines the findings and recommendation by the Committee.
The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Annual Reports 2014 and 2015 The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Annual Reports 2014 and 2015 covers information on the types and quality of work carried out by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (“FICAC”).

The Reports also covers the main highlights of FICAC’s activities for the respective years.
2.0 COMMITTEE DELIBERATION AND FINDINGS As part of its review the Committee read and deliberated on the Reports and identified a few issues.

These issues were then brought to the attention of FICAC for clarification.
Some of the main issues and queries noted were;  the independence of the Commission as per page 50, Note 16 of the FICAC 2014 Annual Report; the aspects of the awareness programs of FICAC and its effectiveness;   aspects of the process of investigations and the various forms of complaints that come under the ambit of FICAC;  FICAC’s policy and structure with respect to the protection of whistle-blowers;  FICAC’s human resource and its ability to provide the necessary services; and  certain discrepancies in the Financial Statements of the Reports.
Discussions held with the FICAC representatives were beneficial; issues noted were clarified and it also revealed the tremendous work being carried out by FICAC and the future plans being put in place.

The Committee was satisfied with the clarification provided on the issues raised from the Reports.

Copies of the submission documents can be obtained from the Parliament website: www.parliament.gov.fj.
Page 4 of 7 3.0 GENDER ANALYSIS The Committee took into account the provisions of SO 110(2) which states when a committee conducts an activity listed in clause (1), the Committee shall ensure that full consideration will be given to the principle of gender equality so as to ensure all matters are considered with regard to the impact and benefit on both men and women equally.
The Committee noted that there was a lack of disaggregated data on gender during the consultation with the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.

However the Committee appreciated the apparent gap in placing emphasis on such requirements when the Reports were drafted and tabled in Parliament.
4.0 RECOMMENDATION After reviewing the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Annual Report 2014 and the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Annual Report 2015, the Committee has no contentious matters to bring to the attention of the House.

The Committee recommends that the House take note of its Report.
5.0 CONCLUSION The Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights has fulfilled its mandate approved by Parliament, which is to examine and review the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Annual Report 2014 and the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Annual Report 2015 with due diligence.

The Committee’s review findings showed no contentious matters and this was reflected in its recommendation.
The Committee through this Report commends the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Annual Report 2014 and the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Annual Report 2015 to the Parliament.

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