THE 2018 Code of Conduct Bill was intended to bring about transparency and accountability of office holders, however, once the bill is read, there is no accountability about the way complaints are being carried out.
This was highlighted by Human Rights officer legal Releshni Karan from the Office of the High Commission of Human Rights United Nations while making submissions to the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights in Suva today.
Ms Karan said there should be recognition that complaints could be submitted in good faith by people who may be politically motivated.
“If they still can provide a complaint in good faith and that may have good grounds if it is done, it cannot be malicious,” Ms Karan said.
“The term malicious and politically motivated are not defined in this bill.”
She said they had noted that words such as politically motivated should be entirely taken out of the 2018 Code of Conduct bill.
