PRESS STATEMENT ON HIV/AIDS PUBLIC HEARING PROJECT OF BOTSWANA PARLIAMENT

People’s participation in action

We, The Botswana Council of Churches (BCC), the Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (BOCONGO), DITSHWANELO – The Botswana Centre for Human Rights and the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Botswana Chapter, wish to commend Parliament for its recent Public Hearing Project on HIV/AIDS, which was conducted between 2 and 12 October 2007.

This activity serves to bring parliament to the people through public consultations concerning legislative reform. Issues which have been raised during this process have ensured that the voices of those who do not have direct access to parliamentarians, were heard. Effective participation of the people in decision-making processes is a central tenet in a functioning democracy.

We welcome the fact that this Public Hearing Project involved the Chairpersons of the parliamentary committees of Population and Development, Health, Law Reform, Labour Relations, the Special Select Committee on HIV/AIDS and representation from the SADC Parliamentary Forum.  Members of the public were encouraged to participate by providing either oral or written comments. We also appreciate the commitment expressed that this process is to be followed in relation to legislative reform.

We, members of civil society, had suggested that such a process of public consultation be followed in relation to the Security and Intelligence Services Bill (ISS) No. 23 of 2006. While this unfortunately did not take place in that case, we nevertheless note that Parliament has recognised the value of public consultations of this nature in matters of law reform, especially those of national concern.

We encourage continued activities such as the Public Hearing Project, which contribute to the development of a functioning democracy, based on the values of accountability to the electorate by those chosen to represent them, transparency and the people’s participation in matters relating to their own governance.

17 October 2007
Gaborone