AKEL’s proposals for a drastic scrutiny framework over asset declarations

 

14 September 2021, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

It is obvious that a much more drastic framework is needed to scrutinize the asset declaration of Members of Parliament and all political figures. Work in the Parliamentary Committee on Institutional Affairs is being completed and the new institutional framework to be approved must be implemented strictly and swiftly with the introduction of independent technocratic control.

AKEL has proposed and is adamant on the need to expand the list of persons subject to scrutiny to cover the judiciary, owners and directors of mass media, as well as the Church in its business activity. We await to see the support of the other political forces too specifically on this position.

Furthermore, we have submitted a draft bill so that persons under scrutiny will be obliged to disclose any interests they have in Cyprus or abroad either through a trustee or apparent shareholder, or in the capacity of a beneficial owner. This will end the phenomenon of concealing interests behind front men/nominees.

A second draft Bill AKEL will table provides that if persons under scrutiny have submitted a false declaration of their assets, the property in question will be considered as property of a suspect, according to the relevant legislation, and this may lead to the confiscation of such property even after the death of the political person.

Transparency and accountability of politicians and, in general, of those who exercise and influence power is a universal demand of society.