PORTUGAL's
enforcement of its foreign bribery laws has been extremely low. Not a
single prosecution has resulted from 15 allegations of Portuguese companies
bribing foreign officials in high-risk countries. Several investigations have
been closed prematurely. Some allegations were not investigated at all. Portugal
must pursue all foreign bribery allegations more vigorously and
thoroughly.
The OECD Working Group on Bribery has just completed its
report on Portugal’s implementation of the Convention of Combating Bribery of
Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions and related
instruments.
The Group made further recommendations to improve Portugal’s
fight against foreign bribery, including:
-
Prevent foreign officials from laundering proceeds of foreign bribery in
Portugal
- Raise the alarmingly low awareness of Portuguese companies of
the fight against foreign bribery
- Hold state-owned companies liable for
foreign bribery
- Safeguard investigations from risks of influence by
concerns of a political and economic nature
The report also highlighted
positive aspects of Portugal’s efforts to fight foreign bribery. Portugal has
taken steps to improve co-operation with other countries with which it has
strong economic ties. Co-ordination among key law enforcement bodies has been
strengthened. Law enforcement’s access to bank information has been improved
through the creation of a centralised database of bank accounts and the Asset
Recovery Office. Portugal has also commendably improved its legislation on
foreign bribery and corporate liability. It now needs to focus its attention and
resources on enforcing these laws.
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