Second Public Hearing on The Suppression of Foreign and International Terrorism Bill

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From: Veritas
To: Veritas : veritas@mango.zw
Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 8:45 PM
Subject: BILL WATCH 20 [SECOND Public Hearing on Suppression of Terrorism Bill]

BILL WATCH 20/2006 [9.05.06]

Second Public Hearing on The Suppression of Foreign and International Terrorism Bill

The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and National Security will hold a second public hearing on this Bill next Tuesday:
Date : Tuesday 16th May 2006
Time : 10.00 am Sharp – please be punctual
Venue : Government Caucus Room, Parliament

There was a public hearing on the 9th May but because of some confusion over the times given in the press advertisements, there were no organisations or individuals ready to make formal representations. The Chairperson therefore decided to have another public hearing next week.

This is an important Bill, and fears have been expressed in the press and from human rights organisations that key provisions are so wide that they could impinge on the freedom of association and legitimate activities of local organisations. The hearing offers a forum for such fears to be articulated and alternative clauses and more precise and less ambiguous definitions put forward for consideration.

[We have an electronic version of the Bill - if you would like a copy please request it.]

[The Bill incorporates some provisions of the Unlawful Organisations Act. It also adopts definitions from the Public Order and Security Act. We have electronic versions of both these Acts - if you would like copies please request them.]

The meeting is open to interested organisations and members of the public to attend and to present written or oral submissions. Please make your submissions concise and to the point and aimed to produce a better piece of legislation.

Please contact the acting Clerk of the Defence, Home Affairs and National Security Portfolio Committee – Ms Patricia Muwandi [Tel: 700181/700189 Ext 2253] if you would like to make a written submission or find out more information about this public hearing.

Written submissions, if handed in by Monday, will be photocopied by Parliament and will be distributed to Parliamentarians on the committee. If you want to distribute your submissions to other participants you will have to bring copies yourself.

The Chairperson of the Defence, Home Affairs and National Portfolio Committee is Col. Makova [MP Bikita West].

Other members of this committee are:- Mr Chamisa, [MP Kuwadzana], Mr Chipanga [MP Makoni East], Mrs Dausi-Gwachiwa [MP Hurungwe], Mr Kadzima [MP Nyanga], Ms Khupe [MP Makokoba], Mr Madzimure [MP Kambuzuma], Senator Chief Malaba, Senator Mbambo, Senator Moyo, Mr Mutomba [MP Buhera North], Mr Mutsekwa [MP Mutare North], Prof Ncube [Bulawayo North East], Senator Rungani, Mrs Zinyemba [MP Mazowe West].

Procedures at the public hearing are as follows:
· Introduction by Chairperson of the Committee who will announce the procedure he would like followed, but normally the procedure is : -
· Submissions from the floor - if you have notified the clerk you have a submission you will be called on to speak. Alternatively you can raise you hand until the Chairperson acknowledges you.
· Time for members of the committee and participants to ask questions and make comments.
· Closing comments by the Chairperson.

Note: At these hearings all submissions and debate are protected by Parliamentary Privilege.

The Senate resumed sitting on Tuesday 9th May
The House of Assembly is in recess until Tuesday 23rd May

Veritas makes every effort to ensure reliable information, but cannot take legal responsibility for information supplied