Oasis Forum questions committee on constitution

Oasis Forum questions committee on constitution
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Sat 17 Dec. 2011, 13:55 CAT

THE Oasis Forum says it is concerned that the government has not clearly indicated the legal framework pursuant to which the committee of experts to draft the new constitution was appointed.

In a statement signed by Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) secretary general Father Cleophas Lungu, Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) general secretary Reverend Suzanne Matale, NGOCC board chairperson Beatrice Grillo and Law Association of Zambia vice-president James Banda, the Oasis Forum stated that it had in the past consistently demanded that the constitution-making process must inspire the confidence of the vast majority of Zambians.

"We have also consistently reaffirmed our belief that a well-thought out and inclusive process protects the content of the constitution. In this regard, we would like to register our concerns over the fact that the government of the Republic of Zambia has not clearly indicated the legal framework pursuant to which the committee of experts was appointed," it stated.

"The Oasis Forum therefore reiterates its long held position that the submission of a report to the Republican President in the form of a recommendation in the constitution-making process is inimical to the principle of a people driven constitution."

The Oasis Forum stated that a constitution was not only a legal document but must also be an embodiment of the people's aspirations.

"In this regard, we call upon both the government and the committee of experts to exercise their best endeavours in ensuring that the process receives the acceptance of a wide section of society," it stated.

It urged the committee of experts to come up with a clear roadmap on the constitution-making process and to clearly and effectively communicate the roadmap to the people. The forum hoped that the committee of experts would not depart from the Mungomba Constitution Review Commission roadmap which envisaged the holding of a referendum before the draft constitution was presented to Parliament for enactment without further debate.

It urged President Michael Sata to appoint a referendum commission as a matter of urgency in line with the referendum Act.

The Oasis Forum stated it was confident that the people appointed to the committee of experts were capable of delivering a draft constitution that reflect the long held aspirations of Zambians.

However, it stated that appointment of a committee of experts based on considerations other than expertise in the constitution-making process had invariably adversely affected the credibility of the process.

It stated that the appointments might lead to a situation where very important sections of society feel ostracised from the process.

The Forum also urged the committee of experts to make its budget public and for the government to publicise the budget for the entire constitution-making process.

"Finally, we call upon each and every Zambian to actively engage in the constitution-making process. It is our hope that the politicians will not betray the integrity of the people appointed to sit on the committee of experts," stated the forum.