ENG-1995 — Page 342

PUBLIC ORDER

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During the year, the ICAC received 199 visitors from law enforcement agencies and other organisations in various countries. The Operations Department sent its officers to China on 58 occasions and to other countries on 74 occasions in the course of investigation. It assisted investigators from China on 62 occasions, and from other countries on 14 occasions, in their inquiries in Hong Kong.

Checks and Balances

To minimise the possibility of any abuse of power, the ICAC is subject to a stringent system of checks and balances. However, social and political changes in Hong Kong have been such that the public demands greater transparency and accountability from the ICAC. To that end an independent review committee appointed by the Governor made several recommendations which have been accepted by the administration. In effect, they subject the ICAC to closer judicial supervision and give the various advisory committees a greater role in monitoring and supervising its work.

At the policy level, the ICAC is guided by the Advisory Committee on Corrup- tion, which comprises prominent citizens, with the Director of Administration, the Commissioner of the ICAC and its Head of Operations sitting as ex-officio members. The committee meets quarterly to review the ICAC's overall policy and draw to the Governor's attention any matter relating to its organisation or operation.

Once begun, an investigation can be ended only by a decision to prosecute made independently by the Attorney General, or on the advice 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, whose membership and terms of reference have been enlarged during the year, now receives and considers reports on current major investigations, all investigations over one year old and all bail cases of six months or more. It may draw to the Governor's attention any aspect of the work of the Operations Department or any problem encountered by the Committee.

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.

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In response to a recommendation of the review committee non-officials were appointed chairmen of the Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee and Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations. A non-official is expected to be appointed chairman of the Operations Review Committee.

Members of the public can lodge formal complaints against ICAC officers to the ICAC Complaints Committee. Its membership consists of members of the Execu- tive and Legislative Councils, prominent citizens, the Attorney General and the Commissioner for Administrative Complaints. The commission also has an internal investigation group which monitors the conduct of its officers and investigates complaints or allegations of corruption against ICAC officers.

The Commission's Objective

With the community, the ICAC is committed to fighting corruption through effective law enforcement, education and prevention to help keep Hong Kong fair, just, stable and prosperous.