The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus (WPC) has submitted proposals to amend the anti-corruption bill to be debated and passed in Parliament tomorrow (21).
Addressing a letter to the Speaker on behalf of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus and the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Children, Women and Gender, the chairperson of the Caucus, Hon. Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, has stated that the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus is very happy to see the inclusion of the concept of sexual bribery being addressed in the draft of the present Anti-Corruption Bill.
However, Dr. Fernandopulle informs that two priority concerns have been identified that require amendment immediately before debate schedule on 21 June 2023.
The first is that there should be a change in the offense of ‘sexual favour’. The Caucus requests that the term sexual favour diminishes the offence and therefore, instead, the term ‘sexual bribery’ be substituted as it ensures that the gravity of the offence is reflected in the law.
Dr. Fernandopulle points out that the second is that due to the Section 162 sub-section (f) re corruption – the draft bill reflects that the offence is committed by both the giver and the taker of any bribe and the person giving the bribe may be treated unfairly.
Thus, the Caucus informs the speaker that they also request to include an exception in the case of sexual bribery only, where the giver/offeror of the bribe is not considered the guilty party.
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