The Integrity Act: A promise deferred

This article was written and submitted by the Integrity Group Barbados.

Nearly two years have elapsed since Barbados took what should have been a transformative step toward strengthening public accountability. When the Integrity in Public Life Act was passed in the Senate on August 16, 2023, it was heralded as a landmark achievement, a signal that Barbados was serious about confronting corruption, elevating standards of governance, and restoring public confidence in its institutions. Yet, the promise remains unfulfilled. To this day, the Act has not been proclaimed, and the machinery it envisages remains dormant.

This inertia has profound consequences. Integrity laws, however well-crafted, are meaningless if left to gather dust. A legal framework without proclamation is little more than an aspiration on paper. At a time when Barbadians are calling for transparency and principled leadership, this prolonged delay erodes public trust and suggests that the commitment to reform may be more rhetorical than real.

The situation becomes all the more striking when viewed in a regional context. Jamaica, for example, enacted its Integrity Commission Act in 2017, merging multiple anti-corruption entities into a single, independent body endowed with investigative and prosecutorial authority. While Jamaica’s experience has not been without controversy, it demonstrates that decisive action and institutional clarity can create credible deterrents against the abuse of office.

In Trinidad and Tobago, the Integrity Commission, established by the Integrity in Public Life Act of 2000, has been operational for a generation. Despite criticism over delays and occasional lapses, it has compelled public officials to file declarations of assets and liabilities and has pursued investigations that reinforce the principle that no one is above the law.

St Lucia offers another instructive example. Its Integrity in Public Life Act was proclaimed as far back as 2004, establishing a functioning commission – albeit one that has often struggled with inadequate resources and limited enforcement capacity. Even so, St Lucia has moved further than Barbados in transforming legislation into action.

Compounding frustration

Against this backdrop, Barbados stands at a crossroads. The Integrity in Public Life Act has been passed but remains inert, a potent symbol of a reform process that has stalled before it could ever truly begin. The reasons for the delay have not been transparently communicated to the public, compounding frustration and scepticism.

It is important to recognise that implementing integrity legislation is never a simple matter. Such reforms demand skilled personnel, sufficient funding, robust operational protocols and unwavering political will. Yet, indefinite postponement only deepens cynicism and fuels the perception that ethics legislation is a convenient political gesture rather than a meaningful commitment.

The path forward is neither complicated nor ambiguous. The government must act swiftly to proclaim the Act and operationalise the Integrity Commission as envisioned in the legislation. Appointments to the Commission should be guided by merit, free from partisan interference, and subject to public scrutiny. Adequate funding must be guaranteed to enable rigorous investigations and enforcement. And the Commission’s reporting must be regular, accessible, and substantive so that citizens can see for themselves whether integrity is being upheld or betrayed.

Barbadians deserve more than platitudes about good governance. They deserve to see words converted into tangible action. Other Caribbean nations have shown that while no system is flawless, progress begins with the courage to implement the law and empower institutions to function as intended.

Integrity Group Barbados remains resolute in its advocacy for these essential reforms. The Integrity in Public Life Act must not be relegated to the ranks of unfulfilled promises. If Barbados truly aspires to lead the region in accountability and democratic renewal, it is time to move beyond rhetoric. Proclaiming this legislation will send a clear message that integrity in public life is not merely a convenient slogan, but a guiding principle deserving of respect, and decisive action.