ENG-1993 — Page 341

PUBLIC ORDER

students. The programme is still in the pilot stage. After evaluation, the department will consider extending it to a larger number of schools.

International Co-operation

International inter-agency co-operation is essential to combat corruption, which can cross all borders and boundaries.

In May, the Commissioner gave a speech at the 10th Commonwealth Law Conference in Cyprus; and in October, he led an ICAC delegation to China to visit the Guangdong Provincial People's Procuratorate in Guangzhou and the Supreme People's Procuratorate in Beijing for a general exchange of views and experience. In November, the Commissioner and other ICAC officials participated in the Sixth International Anti-Corruption Con- ference held in Cancun, Mexico. While in the region, the Commissioner also attended the First Latin American Conference on the Struggle Against Administrative Corruption in Bogota, Colombia.

During the year, the ICAC received 70 visitors from law enforcement agencies and other organisations in various countries. On the investigation side, the Operations Department sent its officers overseas on more than 119 occasions for enquiries into various cases.

Checks and Balances

To minimise the possibility of any abuse of power, the ICAC is subject to a stringent system of checks and balances. At the policy level, the ICAC is guided by the Advisory Committee on Corruption, which reviews and advises the Commissioner on all aspects of anti-corruption policy, strategy and legislation. It comprises seven prominent citizens and one government official.

An investigation can only be completed by a decision to prosecute made independently by the Attorney General, or on the authorisation of the Operations Review Committee, which has to be satisfied that the enquiry has been exhaustively pursued and merits no further investigative action. The Operations Review Committee comprises the Attorney General, the Commissioner of Police, and six civic leaders appointed by the Governor, and is chaired by the Commissioner Against Corruption.

Two other committees, the Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations and the Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee, review and advise on the work of the Community Relations Department and Corruption Prevention Department, respectively.

Members of the public can lodge formal complaints against ICAC officers to the ICAC Complaints Committee. Its membership comprises four members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, two prominent citizens, the Attorney General and the Commissioner for Administrative Complaints.

In addition, the Operations Department has an internal investigation group, which monitors and investigates complaints or allegations of corruption against ICAC officers.

The Way Ahead

The ICAC will mark its 20th year of operation in February 1994. It is committed to combating corruption vigorously through effective law enforcement, education and prevention, so as to contribute to the upholding of the rule of law, as well as the stability and prosperity, in Hong Kong.

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