Law on Senate functions for review

The Senate has resolved to comprehensively revise the organic law determining its functions to align activities with other revised responsibilities under the new Constitution amended in 2015. The organic law that has been in place since 2012 is set to undergo amendments in the upcoming ordinary sitting of the senate to help the Upper House quantify roles and responsibilities in ensuring respect to fundamental principles. According to the new Constitution, the principles are about prevention of the crime of genocide, fighting and eradication against genocide denial, ideology and revisionism; eradication of discrimination and divisionism based on ethnicity and promotion of national unity. The principles are also about equitable power sharing; building a state governed by the rule of law, a pluralistic democratic government; develop a state committed to promoting social welfare and constant quest for solutions through dialogue and consensus. In a news conference at the end of a three-day retreat for senators, Senate president Bernard Makuza explained that part of the objective of the retreat was to strengthen role of the senate in line with the agreed fundamental principles. “It has to be clear, the role of the Senate as mandated by the Constitution has not changed per se; our focus was to assess how fundamental principles can be observed further by the senate and in line with government key programmes,” Makuza said. “However, the change in particular is about methods and approaches given to the senate to devote more time to the fundamental principles, how we analyse, assess and plan accordingly.” Although according to the Constitution, the role of the Senate is about legislation, government oversight, approval of public officials and representation which is more or less similar to those in the Lower House, Makuza said the Senate’s difference in executing the mandate was to make sure everything is done in line with fundamental principles. Should the organic law – which is yet to be drafted – come into effect, it will compel senatorial committees to add on their top agenda, implementation of one or two principles. According to Makuza, implementation and assessment of the fundamental principles were solely the preserve of the senatorial committee in charge of political affairs and good governance. “In the interest of proper implementation, monitoring and evaluation, each commission will have to take up one fundamental principle and apply it in line with its assigned duties,” he added. The 2012 organic law, which will be amended as soon as House business resumes next month, among others, was establishing the commencement and closure of the plenary sitting business; responsibilities of the Bureau of the Senate; appointment, taking oath and replacement of senators; establishment of standing committees and their composition, functions and conduct of the senate. Among the nine resolutions adopted in the retreat, senators agreed to amend an existing law governing how the Senate conducts oversight on government activities, which if comes into being will compel government to prioritise fundamental principles in their core businesses. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Law on Senate functions for review