Africa-Press – Angola. Discussions around the draft of the new law on Freedom of Assembly and Demonstration continued Wednesday, in the National Assembly with the approval, in particular, of its object, with 63 votes, and of Article II, with 57 votes. .
In this morning’s and part of the afternoon’s discussions, the deputies sought to conform the principles and rules relating to the exercise of freedom of assembly and demonstration, peaceful and without weapons, by citizens, without the need for any authorization.
According to the wording presented by MP Mihaela Weba, the Purpose of the bill defines the freedoms of assembly and demonstration under the terms of the Constitution and the Law of the African Charter on Peoples’ Rights.
The text indicates that every citizen is guaranteed the free exercise of the right to demonstrate, freely, without weapons, under the terms of the law.
The discussion required the reformulation of the initial proposal, presented by UNITA, which defended the freedom of citizens to gather at any time, place and using any means.
The chairman of the Commission for Constitutional and Legal Affairs, João Reis Júnior, who guided the debates, and deputy António Paulo questioned the proponent’s intention to keep the expression “in any way”, place, time, means in the bill.
Deputy Ângela Bragança called for the discussion of the proposed law to mature, as she considered it essential to guarantee freedoms, but without disturbing social peace, national security or promoting promiscuity.
Deputy José Semedo, on the other hand, considered that the freedom to gather and demonstrate at any place, time and with the use of any means, was broad and confusing, and could facilitate “abuses of rights”.
Deputy Nazário Vilhena, for his part, warned of the danger of “limitless liberalism”, appealing to balance and a sense of State and country, avoiding the “subalternation of rights”.
It was almost consensual among the deputies that the State had to guarantee protection to the demonstrators.
They also corroborate the ban on the participation of military personnel and members of the forces of order in demonstrations of a political nature.
Deputy Esteves Hilário recalled that public security is a protected good that deserves the protection of the State.
Deputy Paulo de Carvalho, in turn, defended the right to use public places and roads, but safeguarding rights and avoiding collisions with other current legal norms.
With the diploma, which began to be discussed on Monday, in the specialty, with 20 articles, it is intended to revoke Law no16/91, of 11 May – Law on the Right to Assembly and Demonstration, currently in force.
The discussion in the specialty should continue on Thursday to conform the articles on the duties of the demonstrators.
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