Senate to review law governing its functions

The Senate has lined up a review of the organic law governing its functions and that establishing parliamentary government among the issues it will deliberate on as it starts sittings for first session of the year. The two laws will be in line with the recently revised Constitution, in which, not only were the presidential term limits trimmed from seven to five years renewable once, but also the term limits of senators and Chief and Deputy Chief Justice. Senate president Bernard Makuza said reviews will also be carried out to improve constitutional provisions relating to fundamental principles of the country. “In that respect, the Senate has designated an ad hoc committee to prepare a comprehensive document to help it fulfill its obligations,” he said. “That will require the modification of the organic law governing internal rules of the Senate and how Parliament ensures oversight of government.” Makuza added that the Senate will hold a special retreat in the coming days where members will discuss a report to be tabled by the council of senatorial committee chairpersons on the envisaged changes. Article 10 of the Constitution stipulates at least six fundamental principles define a country that seeks to promote basic ideals of homegrown solutions. Among them feature the ideal of equitable power sharing; eradication of discrimination and divisionism based on ethnicity and region; prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide and eradication of genocide ideology. There is also an ideal of promoting rule of the law and pluralistic democratic government where women occupy at least 30 per cent of positions in all decision making organs; promotion of a positive social welfare and constant quest for solutions through dialogue and consensus. In the upcoming ordinary session that normally lasts three months, Senate is also slated to see publication of a senatorial research assessing levels of the genocide ideology and denial of the Genocide against the Tutsi among Rwandans in the Diaspora. On top of instituting legislation and government oversight, members of the Upper House are also expected to conduct outreach programmes aimed at fostering key programmes of national development such as Girinka, VUP Umurenge and efficiency of local governance leadership coordination. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Senate to review law governing its functions