EALA winds sitting in Dar
The 5th Meeting of the 4th Session of the 3rd Assembly concluded in Dar es Salaam, on Thursday, March 17th, 2016.
The Assembly granted leave to Hon. Dora Byamukama to introduce a Bill on the EAC Counter Trafficking in Persons Bill, 2016. It also adjourned debate on the EAC Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2016.
The object of the EAC Counter-Trafficking in Persons Bill, 2016, is to provide a legal framework, develop common measures, strategies and programmes to the prevention of trafficking in persons and the perpetrators of such actions. It also aims to develop partnerships for co-operation in counter trafficking in persons and provision of protection mechanisms and services for persons.
The mover says the Bill is premised on Article 6 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC which underscores good governance including adherence to the principles of democracy, the rule of law, accountability and transparency. Article 7(2) of the Treaty further obliges the Partner States to abide by universally acceptable standards of human rights in particular the Universal Declaration of Human rights 1948.
According to Hon. Byamukama, operationalisation of the Protocol to prevent, supress and punish trafficking in persons especially women and children and supplementing the UN Convention against transnational organised crime to which all EAC Partner States are signatory to are key and thus obliged to adopt principles of the protocol by enacting relevant legislation.
On its part, the debate on the EAC Supplementary Budget 2016 was adjourned until the next Sitting. The adjournment is to allow the Committee on General Purpose to further consult on its Report on the EAC Supplementary Budget for the Financial Year 2015/16 and the EAC Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2016. The move followed a Motion moved by the Chair of the Council of Ministers, Hon. Dr Susan A. Kolimba.