Transparency International welcomes new international anti-corruption body in Honduras
The body must be given the autonomy and power to investigate and prosecute the corrupt
Transparency International, the global organisation leading the fight against corruption, welcomes the announcement by the Honduran government of the creation of the Mission to Support the Fight against Corruption and Impunity (MACCIH), an international body backed by the Organisation of American States.
Its mandate is to investigate and prosecute criminal activities in the country’s political, judicial and security systems as well as to provide advice and oversight to national institutions.
The creation of the body follows pressure from the public with thousands of people taking to the streets to demonstrate against corruption. It has been strongly supported by civil society organisations, including Asociación para una Sociedad más Justa, Transparency International’s national chapter in the country.
On the occasion of the announcement José Ugaz, Transparency International’s Chair said:
“The launch of MACCIH is an important step for Honduras, a country where numerous high-level corruption scandals in recent years have ended with impunity for the corrupt. The new commission must be allowed to work independently, without political interference, and given power to choose which cases to investigate. It has the potential to help create a better and fairer society for all Hondurans if it can act freely.”
Honduras has one of the highest levels of corruption, violence and poverty in the region. Organised crime has infiltrated state institutions and too often the corrupt go unpunished.
The establishment of an international body in Honduras is a significant move in the right direction. It is modelled on neighbouring Guatemala’s International Commission against Impunity (CICIG), which is backed by the United Nations and eventually led to the arrest of former President Otto Pérez Molina last year.
The MACCIH requires access to information and full cooperation from local public authorities and civil society. “The ultimate goal should be efficient, transparent and accountable Honduran institutions that have the trust of the people. We hope that through MACCIH’s intervention the Public Ministry and other bodies investigating corruption will be strengthened to end impunity and create justice”, said Ugaz.
Asociación para una Sociedad más Justa will monitor MACCIH’s activities.
For any press enquiries please contact
Berlin, Germany
Natalie Baharav
E: [email protected]
T: +49 30 343820 666
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Asociación para una Sociedad más Justa
E: [email protected]
T: +504 235 2291
