This Convention seeks to assure a functional equivalence among the measures taken by the Parties to combat bribery of foreign public officials, without requiring uniformity or changes in fundamental principles of a Party's legal system. Action: The OECD’s Phase 2 Review of the UK’s implementation of the OECD Bribery Convention was published on 17 March 2005. The UK’s next task is to give an oral report on progress at the Working Group on Bribery. The UK’s report will be an opportunity to demonstrate what has been done to address the recommendations. Among the Working Group’s recommendations was that the United Kingdom, within the rules governing their relationship, invite the Island Authorities to enact a comprehensive anti-corruption statute at the earliest possible date in order to extend the Convention to the Island. The Island Authorities have confirmed their wish to request ratification of the Convention on behalf of the Island after the Corruption (Jersey) Law 200- has been enacted. PART FOUR: MATTERS WHERE A DECISION HAS BEEN MADE BY THE ISLAND AUTHORITIES 1. UNESCO International Anti-Doping Convention and Drug-Free Sport Objective: To develop an internationally legally-binding convention against doping in sport in order to provide a legal framework that will bind all countries, through international law, to develop anti-doping programmes in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code of the World Anti-Doping Agency and which will set out the governments’ responsibilities in the fight against doping in sport. Action: The Department for Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS) advised that the UK intended to sign the Convention in October 2005 and to ratify it by 9 February 2006 in time for the next Winter Olympics. The DCMS also asked if the Island Authorities wish to have the Convention extended to them and, if so, to confirm that the necessary legislation is in place. Further to helpful discussions with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and with UK Sport regarding the implications of ratification, the Island Authorities confirmed that they were able to implement the necessary measures and that they wish for ratification of the Convention to be extended to Jersey. 2. Chemical Weapons Convention Objective: The objective of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is to rid the world of chemical weapons by prohibiting their development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer, and use. Action: The Chemical Weapons Act 1996, relating to the Crown Dependencies did not enter into force until after the UK ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The UK ratification, therefore, could not be extended to the Crown Dependencies. The DCA has informed the Island Authorities that the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) is now in a position to revise the UK ratification of the Convention to cover the Crown Dependencies. The Island Authorities will also need to provide the DTI with information, in connection with certain chemicals, in order for the UK to meet its obligations under the Convention. The Island Authorities have, as requested, informed the DTI of Jersey’s status with regard to the relevant chemicals and have confirmed that they wish for the UK ratification to be extended to Jersey. PART FIVE: CONFIRMATION OF RATIFICATION OF EARLIER MATTERS REFERRED TO IN EARLIER REPORTS The Island Authorities did not receive any confirmation of ratifications during this period. |