The Lebanese Parliament is expected to give the green light to the creation of a National Anti-Corruption Commission after it was approved by both the Finance and Budget, and Administration and Justice Committees.
MP George Adwan, head of the Administration and Justice Committee said the Commission would play “a pivotal role in the fight against corruption.”
Last month, Lebanon launched a crackdown on corruption, leading to the arrest of dozens of people in ministries and official departments.
Several parliamentary blocs that contributed to drafting the law for the creation of the Commission underlined its role in regulating the progression of work in state institutions.
Member of the Strong Republic bloc MP George Okeiss told Asharq Al-Awsat on Friday that the Commission shall receive declarations of funds of high-ranking public officials and publish reports on corruption in Lebanon.
“The Commission has the power to prosecute those engaged in corruption offenses, and it has the right to impose travel bans and lift bank secrecy in cases where corruption is detected,” the lawmaker said.
It would comprise ten members, including two retired honorary judges with high competence and experience, financial and administrative experts, in addition to figures from the civil society.
The Commission is an independent body that does not operate under the tutelage of the government or Parliament.
Legal experts possess different opinions regarding the role such Commission could play in fighting corruption.
Former Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi said the Commission does not possess the judicial authority to prosecute criminals but could help transfer corruption files to the Public Prosecution.
“It also constitutes a link between citizens and the judiciary,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Qortbawi said the Commission has a positive and a negative effect. “It gives rise to bureaucracy in public institutions and it, therefore, delays judicial measures against criminals. However, the Commission increases the number of monitoring bodies in a country where corruption has become a way of life.”
