Africa-Press – Angola. The retired judge of the Onofre dos Santos Constitutional Court considered, Monday (07), in Luanda, the Constitution of the Republic to be one of the Magna Laws with the most recognized fundamental rights, insofar as it refers to international law agreements and treaties to which Angola is part.
The constitutionalist, who was speaking about the 12 years since the promulgation of the Constitution, said that this is a positive aspect. “Even if they are not included in the Constitution, all these fundamental rights are recognized”, stressed the retired judge, for whom the law also points towards the fulfillment of economic, cultural and social rights.
Onofre dos Santos also indicated as a strong point of the Constitution the recognition of custom as a source of law, emphasizing that this aspect was not foreseen in any of the previous laws. “This recognition represents a very important aspect in relation to what is the respect for our ancestral values and for the History of Angola”, he highlighted.
The constitutionalist said that the Constitution still has great challenges to be accomplished. In this regard, Onofre dos Santos pointed out the absence of the Executive’s dual responsibility towards Parliament and the President of the Republic.
He mentioned that the constitutional amendment resolved a good part of this aspect, but, even so, there are not the same consequences. “Inquiries can be made, ministers heard, but a motion of censure cannot be voted on”, he stressed.
Despite this, the constitutionalist said that it is still important that they are subject to interrogation on issues of public life and governance. “If perhaps there are less positive aspects, they can be corrected through this inspection and control action by the National Assembly”, he clarified.
Still with regard to the challenges of the Constitution, the retired judge of the Constitutional Court believes that the main task is to achieve the social state, through the realization of social and economic rights, Health, decent housing and free education for all.
On this matter, Onofre dos Santos stressed that the Constitution is exemplary, as it presents an “authentic roadmap” to reach a state in which all Angolans review themselves and feel that the State creates living conditions for them.
supremacy of the Constitution
As part of the celebrations for the 12th anniversary of the promulgation of the Magna Carta, the Constitutional Court will hold a conference on the supremacy of the Constitution and Constitutional Justice tomorrow, starting at 9:00 am, in one of the hotels in Luanda, which may count on the presence of the Vice-President of the Republic, Bornito de Sousa.
On the occasion, the memory, current and future of the Constitution will also be analyzed. The event is the highest point of the commemorative actions alluding to the 12th anniversary of the promulgation of the Constitution of the Republic, marked on 5 February 2010. The conference will bring together national specialists in Constitutional Law and aims to emphasize the need for articulation between the different powers in the structure of the Angolan State.
The program also plans to address issues such as access to Constitutional Justice, enforcement of citizens’ rights and the evolution of Angolan constitutionalism.
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