Tackling Corruption: Better Investigations, More Effective Prosecutions

Authorities in Trinidad and Tobago responsible for detecting, investigating and prosecuting corruption now have stronger expertise and technical skills to review and analyse evidence and red flag corruption in public procurement, with support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

UNODC partnered with the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to host a three-day capacity-building workshop that strengthened cooperation and coordination among key national institutions.

The event is being held at the Hilton Trinidad, with support from the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and the Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program (ACCBP) funded by the Government of Canada.

Participating entities included the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, the Anti-Corruption Investigations Bureau, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, the Office of the Procurement Regulator and the Auditor General's Department. 

These investigators, auditors and regulators explored the preparation of case scenarios and investigation plans, the review and analysis of evidence, the analysis of financial evidence, the typologies of corruption in public procurement and effective witness questioning techniques. 

The workshop is a concrete step to build on the launch of the UNODC Regional Platform in the Caribbean in October 2023, which aims to improve regional collaboration on the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

The following are opening remarks delivered by UN Resident Coordinator for Trinidad and Tobago, Joanna Kazana: 

It is a pleasure to address you today on behalf of the United Nations system as we open the regional capacity-building workshop on Investigating and Prosecuting Cases of Corruption.

I take this opportunity to extend gratitude to the Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago, Senator the Honourable Reginald Armour, for remaining our steadfast partner for this important work.

Today’s meeting is a testament to our collective commitment to combatting corruption as an insidious breach of the rule of law.

And it was this shared mission that brought Trinidad and Tobago as a first Caribbean country to ratify the UN Convention Against Corruption.

It is also why we came together here in Port of Spain in October 2023 to launch the regional platform against corruption to fast track the implementation of that United Nations Convention.

Todays gathering is the next concrete step in bringing the regional platform against corruption to life.

I welcome many of the key stakeholders who attended the October’s launch joining us here today to advance cooperation in this area.

Corruption poses a significant challenge to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030.

It undermines Poverty Reduction (SDG 1): Corruption can divert funds meant for social welfare programs, reducing the effectiveness of initiatives aimed at alleviating poverty. This diversion limits access to essential services for the most vulnerable populations, exacerbating poverty and inequality. 

It affects Quality Education (SDG 4): When corruption infiltrates educational systems, it can lead to mismanagement of resources and lower quality of education. Bribery in school admissions and procurement fraud in educational materials are examples where corruption undermines educational access and equity.

It hampers Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3): Corruption in the healthcare sector can lead to inadequate patient care, misallocation of resources, and inaccessible medical services, thereby compromising public health outcomes.

It obstructs Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16): Perhaps the most directly affected, this goal calls for effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. Corruption erodes trust in institutions, hampers the rule of law, and challenges the implementation of fair and equitable justice systems. 

It impacts Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6): Corruption in the water sector can affect the quality, reliability, and availability of water services. This can result in unsafe water supply, inadequate sanitation, and overall poor hygiene practices in affected regions.

It influences Jobs and Economic Growth (SDG 8): by distorting markets and stifling economic growth, also creating unfair business practices, discouraging foreign investment, and fostering inefficiencies in public and private sector operations.

It undercuts Gender Equality (SDG 5): Corruption in legal systems and institutions can particularly disadvantage women, who might face higher instances of bribery for services or discriminatory practices that hinder their social and economic development.

It reduces the Effectiveness of Partnerships (SDG 17): Corruption weakens partnerships for sustainable development by eroding mutual trust and reducing the effectiveness of international aid, technical assistance, and financial flows intended to support national plans for achieving all SDGs.

To address the issue of corruption in the context of SDGs, it's essential for countries to implement robust anti-corruption policies, strengthen institutions to ensure transparency and accountability, and foster a culture of integrity within both public and private sectors.

Public awareness and community engagement are also crucial to creating an environment where corruption is not tolerated as a pervasive norm, and sustainable development can be effectively pursued.

Success in combating corruption is only possible if there is strong leadership, political commitment and effective cooperation among relevant authorities and, in the context of the Caribbean, among the countries of the region.

I thank the authorities of Trinidad and Tobago for the leadership on this issue in the region and for decisively pursuing meaningful steps that can advance detection and persecution of corruption cases.

I also want to highlight that this work is taking place in the context of other initiatives implemented by UNODC in Trinidad and Tobago and the broader region.

Before I mention a couple of concrete examples, I wish to express appreciation for the invaluable support provided by the Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program (ACCBP) funded by the Government of Canada and that of the United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

Thanks to that continuing partnership, the UN system and UNODC in particular were able to:
•work with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and support the region's first trade-based money laundering investigation, which was nominated for the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force’s Best Case Award.
•In 2023 alone, UNODC's collaboration with INTERPOL has led to the identification of 39 victims of cybercrime in Trinidad and Tobago.
•National authorities have been working with UNODC to develop robust systems for sustained cybercrime prevention and response, especially in tackling online child sexual exploitation and abuse.
•Last year, UNODC trained over 400 individuals, including law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judicial officers, on digital forensics, admissibility of digital evidence and human rights in cybercrime investigations.
•Furthermore, with support from the EU’s Global Illicit Flows Programme, the AIRCOP initiative has enhanced the detection and interception of drugs, firearms, ammunition, and high-risk passengers at Piarco International Airport.
Overall, UNODC and other agencies of the UN system in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean are supporting Member States to tackle diverse threats to peace and security in the region.

I am certain that the outcome of this workshop will add valuable momentum to those programmes.

I am convinced that together, we can make a difference in the fight against corruption and help institutions be more prepared to tackle organized crime, ensuring that hard earned taxpayers’ moneys and public resources are available also for meeting the needs of the most vulnerable parts of the population.

I wish you fruitful deliberations, and a successful workshop.

Thank you for your attention.