Africa-Press – Angola. The deputies of the National Assembly (AN) reached an agreement, this Monday (3), in specific discussions, regarding the systematization of the Project Law on Freedom of Assembly and Demonstration.
According to MP Mihaela Webba, representing UNITA, the project’s proponent party, from now on the document will contain a preamble and four chapters, with the first dealing with general provisions, the second with freedom of assembly, the third with freedom manifestation and the fourth on final and transitional provisions.
Discussions on the specificity of the bill take place after it has been analyzed by parliamentarians, in general, which led to its approval with 172 votes in favour, none against and no abstentions.
This is an opposition legislative initiative, approved in general by the hemicycle, prepared by the UNITA Parliamentary Group, which in its initial format contained a preambular part and a dispositive part, with 20 articles.
As for the preamble, Milhaela Webba said that proposals were presented by the deputies that resolve the questions raised, as it is the effective materialization of a guarantee right, freedom of assembly and demonstration, and only after that come the associated rights.
However, he referred that it is excessive to argue that the project does not indicate duties, as the Constitution of the Republic already establishes that demonstrations must be peaceful and without weapons, meaning that everyone has this obligation, with the exception of defense and security bodies.
On the other hand, the MPLA MP, António Paulo, explained that the exclusion of entities of a collective nature stems from the nature of the Law, since “Article 47 of the Constitution is clear, as it deals with the right of assembly and demonstration of citizens”.
He reiterated that “these are rights or freedoms to be used by citizens within the framework of exercising citizenship and civic participation”, since the freedom of assembly and demonstration, in general terms, is carried out without subject to authorization and whenever they occur in public places require prior notice.
The diploma, which began to be discussed this Monday, in the specialty, with 20 articles, intends to revoke Law no16/91, of 11 May – Law on the Right to Assembly and Demonstration, currently in force.
The specific discussion, which will continue over the next few days, is an important step in the legisla.
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