Bar Association Still Waiting for Meeting Over Controversial Bill

The Mauritius Bar Association is still waiting for an urgent meeting with Attorney General Maneesh Gobin to discuss clauses around the highly controversial Financial Crimes Commission.

The bill, which could be adopted this week, would give the Financial Crimes Commission more powers than its predecessor, the ICAC.

The new entity would have powers of arrest and prosecution that bypass other authorities such as the police and Director of Public Prosecutions.

The appointment process for the director general and commissioners also worries critics.

The Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) bill is set to undergo its second reading in Parliament this Tuesday.

Despite widespread criticism, the government is determined to push the bill through quickly and is unlikely to make any major concessions.

The bill is the only item on the agenda and is expected to be adopted during another parliamentary session on Friday, December 15.

Transparency Mauritius’s board has issued a statement on Monday, December 11, expressing its concerns regarding the appointment process of the director of the FCC.

Source : Defi Media, Defi Media2