Estimados Colegas/Parceiros,

É com imenso prazer que divulgo esta Declaração para celebrar o Dia dos Direitos Humanos de 2021.

O Dia dos Direitos Humanos tem particular importância para o Fórum e para os seus Parlamentos Membros, não só porque o Fórum é um acérrimo defensor dos direitos humanos na África Austral, mas também porque os direitos humanos são a pedra angular e constituem um pilar de um quadro democrático saudável. Embora seja prosaico referi-lo, sem uma cultura vibrante de direitos humanos, a soberania parlamentar e o Estado de direito ficariam comprometidos.

Não é demais reiterar que o Fórum está empenhado em promover os direitos humanos civis e políticos (direitos da primeira geração), bem como os direitos económicos, sociais e culturais (direitos da segunda geração), ambos consagrados na Declaração Universal dos Direitos do Homem, e na Carta Africana dos Direitos do Homem e dos Povos. No âmbito da sua Visão de ser o Porta-Estandarte da Democratização e do Desenvolvimento Sócio-Económico na África Austral, o Fórum Parlamentar da SADC mobiliza valores fundamentais e princípios orientadores que falam do respeito por todos os direitos humanos na sua generalidade. Além disso, o Fórum também reconhece a interligação dos direitos humanos, e a necessidade de não deixar qualquer direito humano para trás na consecução de um desenvolvimento progressivo.

Hoje, o Dia dos Direitos Humanos coincide também com a cerimónia de abertura da 50ª Assembleia Plenária do Fórum Parlamentar da SADC, um evento histórico para a organização e para os Membros. A 50ª Assembleia Plenária será também a ilustre plataforma para as deliberações sobre a adopção da Lei Modelo da SADC sobre a Violência Baseada no Género, sendo esta última mais um instrumento de referência para a promoção dos direitos humanos para todos, sem discriminação.

Na próxima década, o Fórum compromete-se a continuar a potenciar a democracia parlamentar e a cooperação interparlamentar com vista a implementar os direitos humanos em toda a região da SADC e para além dela.

Feliz Dia dos Direitos Humanos de 2021!

Os melhores cumprimentos,

Sra. B. Sekgoma,

Secretária-Geral,

Fórum Parlamentar da SADC

10 de Dezembro de 2021

DECLARAÇÃO DA SECRETÁRIA-GERAL DO FÓRUM PARLAMENTAR DA SADC POR OCASIÃO DO DIA DOS DIREITOS HUMANOS 10 DE DEZEMBRO DE 2021

Media Statement SADC Parliamentary Forum Statement on Travel Bans

WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA: Sunday, 28 November 2021 The Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum is cognisant that the Covid-19 pandemic is causing worldwide fears and tensions, especially with the upsurge of new virus variants.

While public health remains a  priority,  the  Forum considers that there is a  need to rely at all times on verified scientific and empirical data, such as those shared by the World Health Organisation (WHO), before imposing travel bans that may seem unjust or harsh for some countries. The need for international cooperation to share information buttresses the recent action of the SADC Group at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) held from the 26th-30th November 2021 in  Madrid, Spain, which called for greater equality in the procurement and distribution of Covid-19 vaccines.

This echoes the reflection made that nobody is safe until everybody is safe from Covid-19. Indeed, if vaccine equality was in place, the virus may have been long overwhelmed instead of mutating into more threatening variants in some countries.

The IPU General Debate unanimously debated this issue as an emergency Item, where all Parliaments of the world gathered. There is no doubt that policymakers, officials, as well as Parliamentarians from the SADC region are engaging counterparts to react to the travel ban and to find solutions for safe travel.

It is imperative that remedial measures be found, especially bearing in mind the human rights of travellers who are stalled in foreign destinations pending the re-opening of the flight routes back home. Perhaps the most important question currently is which vaccine would respond best to the new variants, and if this information is known, vaccine deployment strategies must be engaged to respond accordingly.

Travel bans are never favourable to the economy, whether it is the economy of the imposing country or one of the affected country. Travel bans are also devastating to airline companies who are struggling to stay afloat and to rebuild after almost 2 years of travel slowdown.

It is thus important for bans to be imposed only based on verified and reliable information that has been preferably endorsed by the WHO.

For scheduling media interviews with the SADC Parliamentary  Forum Secretary General, Ms Boemo M SEKGOMA please contact: Modise Kabeli on Mobile: +27817159969 or Email:org" data-ep-accfd="media<smal"> [AT] </" data-ep-bc571="[DOT] </sm"> " data-ep-accfd="small>sadc"> or ">

Comunicado De Imprensa Declaração Do Fórum Parlamentar Da SADC Sobre As Proibições De Viagens

WINDHOEK, NAMÍBIA: Domingo, 28 de Novembro de 2021 O Fórum Parlamentar da Comunidade de Desenvolvimento da África Austral tem consciência de que a pandemia de Covid-19 está a causar receios e tensões, sobretudo com a recrudescência de novas variantes do vírus.

Embora a saúde pública continue a ser uma prioridade, o Fórum considera que é preciso confiar sempre em dados científicos e empíricos comprovados, tais como os que são emitidos pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), antes de se impor proibições de viajar que possam parecer injustas ou severas para alguns países. A necessidade da cooperação internacional na partilha de informação reforça a recente medida tomada pelo Grupo dos Países da SADC na Assembleia da União Interparlamentar (UIP) realizada de 26 a 30 de Novembro de 2021 em Madrid, Espanha, que apelou para maior igualdade na aquisição e distribuição de vacinas de Covid-19.

O referido apelo reitera a reflexão feita de que ninguém é seguro até que todos sejam protegidos contra a Covid-19. De facto, se houvesse igualdade perante as vacinas, o vírus poderia há muito ter sido submergido em vez de continuar a fazer mutações para variantes perigosas em alguns países.

O debate da Assembleia Geral da UIP, que reuniu todos os Parlamentos do mundo, considerou por unanimidade esta questão como um ponto de emergência. É indiscutível que os formuladores de políticas, funcionários, bem como os parlamentares da região da SADC estão a interagir com os seus homólogos para reagir à proibição de viajar e procurar soluções para viagens seguras.

É imperioso que sejam encontradas medidas de reparação, sobretudo tendo em consideração os direitos humanos dos viajantes que estão encalhados em paragens no estrangeiro até que voltem a ser abertas rotas de vôos de retorno para os seus países. Talvez a pergunta mais importante neste momento seja a de saber qual é a vacina que oferece a melhor resposta às novas variantes, e se existe um conhecimento desta informação, devem ser desdobradas estratégias vacinais visando dar a devida resposta.

As proibições de viagem nunca favorecem a economia, quer seja a economia do país que as impõe, quer a do país afectado. As proibições de viajar têm também um efeito devastador para as companhias aéreas que estão em apuros para se manterem à tona e se reconstruírem depois de quase 2 anos de abrandamento de deslocações.

Importa, portanto que as proibições sejam apenas impostas com base em informações verificadas e fiáveis que tenham de preferência sido homologadas pela OMS.

Para o agendamento de entrevistas pelos órgãos da comunicação social com a Secretária-geral do Fórum Parlamentar da SADC, Sra. Boemo M. SEKGOMA, favor entrar em contacto com: Modise Kabeli, pelo terminal telefónico: +27817159969 ou pelo e-mail: " data-ep-accfd="small>sadc"> or " data-ep-bc571="] </small>za"> [DOT">

Communiqué De Presse Communiqué Du Forum Parlementaire De La SADC Sur Les Interdictions De Voyager

WINDHOEK, NAMIBIE : dimanche 28 novembre 2021 Le Forum parlementaire de la Communauté de développement de l’Afrique  australe  est  conscient  que  la  pandémie  de  Covid- 19 suscite des craintes et des tensions dans le monde entier, notamment dans le contexte de l’apparition de nouveaux variants du virus.

Si la santé publique demeure une priorité, le Forum considère qu’il convient en toutes circonstances de se fier à des données scientifiques et empiriques vérifiées, telles celles qui sont diffusées par l’Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS), avant d’imposer des interdictions de voyager qui peuvent sembler injustes ou brutales à certains pays. L’affirmation de la nécessité d’une coopération internationale pour le partage d’informations conforte l’action récente du Groupe de la SADC lors de l’Assemblée de l’Union interparlementaire (UIP) qui s’est tenue du 26 au 30 novembre 2021 à Madrid, en Espagne, qui a appelé à plus d’égalité eu égard à l’achat et à la distribution de vaccins contre la Covid-19.

Cette position fait écho à l’idée selon laquelle personne n’est à l’abri de la Covid-19 tant que tous ne sont pas à l’abri de celle-ci. En effet, si l’égalité vaccinale était effective, le virus aurait pu être vaincu depuis longtemps au lieu de muter sous la forme de variants plus menaçants dans certains pays.

Le Débat général de l’UIP a porté à l’unanimité sur cette question envisagée comme un point d’urgence à l’occasion de cet événement qui a  rassemblé  tous  les  parlements  du  monde.  Il  ne fait aucun doute que les décideurs politiques, les responsables, ainsi que les parlementaires de la région de la SADC sont en train de mobiliser leurs homologues pour réagir à l’interdiction de voyager et trouver des solutions permettant de voyager en toute sécurité.

Il est indispensable que des mesures correctives soient trouvées, surtout en prenant en considération les droits humains de voyageurs qui sont bloqués dans des pays étrangers en attendant la reprise des liaisons aériennes pour pouvoir retourner chez eux. La question qui importe peut-être le plus à l’heure actuelle est de savoir quel vaccin permettrait de lutter le plus efficacement contre les nouveaux variants et, si cette information est connue, les stratégies pour le déploiement des vaccins doivent être appliquées pour riposter en conséquence.

Les interdictions de voyager ne sont jamais favorables à l’économie, qu’il s’agisse de l’économie      du pays qui impose l’interdiction ou de  celle du  pays  qui la  subit. Les  interdictions  de voyager ont aussi des effets dévastateurs sur les compagnies aériennes qui luttent pour rester à flot et pour se reconstruire après presque 2 ans de diminution du nombre de voyages.

Il est donc important que les interdictions ne soient imposées qu’à condition d’être fondées sur des informations vérifiées et fiables qui, de préférence, ont été approuvées par l’OMS.

Pour programmer des entrevues des médias avec la Secrétaire générale du Forum parlementaire de la SADC, Mme Boemo M. Sekgoma, veuillez contacter : Modise Kabeli sur le numéro de portable +27817159969 ou par courriel sur org" data-ep-accfd="media<smal"> [AT] </" data-ep-bc571="[DOT] "> ou ">

WINDHOEK-NAMIBIA, Monday 11 October 2021 – Standing Committees of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC-PF) are scheduled to hold virtual statutory meetings from the 8^th until the 19^th of October 2021. The Standing Committee meetings are being held ahead of the 50^th Plenary Assembly Session to be hosted by the Parliament of Lesotho in December, where each Committee will table its report. 

Matters scheduled for discussion during this over-a-week long programme includes consideration of a scorecard to monitor Model Laws, enhancing the role of Parliament in promoting direct investment, the role of Parliaments in water resource management in the SADC region and strengthening Parliament’s role in conflict prevention and management, amongst others. 

Today, 11 October at 09:30, the Standing Committee on Trade, Industry, Finance and Investment chaired by Hon. Anele Ndebele, from Zimbabwe, is scheduled to deliberate on “Enhancing the Role of Parliament in Promoting Domestic and Foreign Direct Investment.” To join the meeting follow the Zoom Registration Link here.

On Tuesday, 12 October, the Standing Committee on the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FARN), chaired by Hon. Tumba, is scheduled todeliberate on the role of Parliaments in Water Resource  Management in the SADC Region. To join the meeting follow the Zoom Registration Link here.

On Wednesday, 13 October, the Standing Committee on Democratisation, Governance and Human Rights, chaired by Hon. Jeronima Agostihno, from Mozambique, will hold its meeting under the theme: “Peace, Security and Conflict Trends in the SADC Region: Strengthening Parliament’s Role in Conflict Prevention and Management. To join the meeting follow the Zoom Registration Link here. 

On Thursday, 14 October, the Standing Committee on Gender Equality, Women Advancement and Youth Development, chaired by Hon. Peete Peete Ramoqai – from Lesotho, will meet under the theme: “Enhancing Parliaments’ Response in the Prevention and Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls during Pandemics.” To join the meeting follow the Zoom Registration Link here.

On Friday, 15 October the Standing Committee on Human and Social Development and Special Programmes, chaired by Hon. Bertha Ndebele, from Malawi, is scheduled to discuss the role of Parliamentarians in advancing CSE in the region.  To join the meeting follow the Zoom Registration Link here.

On Monday, 18 October a Joint Session of the SADC-PF Standing Committees and the RWPC is scheduled to sit. While on Tuesday, 19 October, the RWPC will meet to deliberate on various cross cutting issues of regional concern. 

ISSUED BY THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PARLIAMENTARY FORUM 

MEDIA ACCESS: Meetings of the SADC-PF are open to the media and journalists who are interested in covering them must register on the following link to be added to a SADC-PF Accredited Media WhatsApp group where information on events of the Forum are regularly shared with the media: 

https://chat.whatsapp.com/Kj519Su3Py04YY8PW1t1Xy

The meeting will be broadcast live on DSTV Channel 408 and also streamed live on the SADC-PF social media platforms on the links below: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sadcpf

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/sadcpf

YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCa0QZWjuXVxer_vm637pBmQ

ISSUED BY THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PARLIAMENTARY FORUM 

Enquiries: Modise Kabeli +27 81 715 9969 or org" data-ep-accfd="media<smal"> " data-ep-accfd="small>sadc">

29^TH SEPTEMBER

09:00 TO 12:10

Objectives:

• To build the capacity of Committee Clerks in producing Committee Minutes and Reports of the highest quality;
• To develop guidelines on and standardise the format of SADC PF Committee Reports to the Plenary Assembly; and
• To share knowledge and experience and to promote peer learning among Committee Clerks.

Caros colegas/parceiros,

É com grande prazer que divulgo esta declaração aos augustos Parlamentos e parceiros do Fórum, tendo em vista a celebração do Dia Internacional da Rapariga a 11 de Outubro de 2021.

O Fórum Parlamentar da SADC associa-se plenamente à Resolução 66/170 da Assembleia Geral das Nações Unidas para comemorar este dia com vista a reconhecer os direitos das raparigas e atender aos desafios únicos com que são confrontadas em África e em todo o mundo. Um dos objectivos centrais do Fórum é proporcionar igualdade de oportunidades às raparigas na África Austral, de modo a que progridam no plano da educação, bem como na implementação de todos os outros direitos humanos, tal como acontece com os rapazes, e sem qualquer tipo de discriminação.

A Lei Modelo da SADC sobre o Casamento Infantil e o Modelo de Supervisão Sensível ao Género (GROM) são ilustrações não exaustivas das várias iniciativas tomadas pelo Fórum Parlamentar da SADC para capacitar as raparigas através de iniciativas parlamentares. Com o advento da Comissão de Supervisão das Leis Modelo Parlamentares Regionais (RPMLOC), que é o órgão específico do Fórum para monitorizar a Lei Modelo da SADC sobre o Casamento Infantil, o Fórum está prestes a dar início a um acompanhamento atento através de tabelas de desempenho parlamentar com o objectivo global de melhorar a situação e a qualidade de vida das raparigas em toda a SADC. A este respeito, o Fórum convida os seus parceiros de longa data a continuar a trabalhar com o Fórum com vista a interagir com sucesso com a RPMLOC e a fazer convergir os seus processos em benefício final das raparigas da região.

O Fórum também louva o tema da "Geração Digital". A Nossa Geração" escolhido em 2021 para comemorar este importante dia, uma vez que, de facto, as raparigas têm infinitas potencialidades a explorar a partir das possibilidades digitais que abarcam a terceira década do novo milénio. O mundo digital pode agir como catalisador para servir as nobres aspirações das raparigas. De facto, as raparigas na SADC representam o futuro da região: podem ser profissionais de sucesso, académicas brilhantes, mães carinhosas, inovadoras geniais na indústria, investidoras estratégicas, e muito mais. Seja qual for o caminho que escolherem, o Fórum compromete-se a acompanhá-las na sua jornada rumo à prosperidade.

Feliz Dia Internacional da Rapariga de 2021!

Atenciosamente,

Sra. B. Sekgoma, Secretária-Geral

Fórum Parlamentar da SADC

11 de Outubro de 2021

Dear Colleagues/partners,

It is with boundless pleasure that I release this statement to the Forum’s august Member Parliaments and partners in view of celebrating the International Day of Girl Child on this 11^th October 2021.  

The Forum fully associates itself with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 66/170 to commemorate this day in view of recognising girls’ rights and addressing the unique challenges that they face in Africa and around the world.  One of the core objectives of the SADC-PF is give equal chances and opportunities to girl children in Southern Africa such that they progress in education as well as in the implementation of all other human rights, at par with boys, and without discrimination of any kind.

The SADC Model Law on Child Marriage and the Gender Responsive Oversight Model (GROM) are non-exhaustive illustrations of the several initiatives taken by the SADC-PF to empower girl children through parliamentary initiatives. With the advent of the Regional Parliamentary Model Laws Oversight Committee (RPMLOC), which is the Forum’s dedicated organ for monitoring the SADC Model Law on Child Marriage, the Forum is about to embark on close monitoring through parliamentary scorecards with the overarching objective of improving the situation and quality of life of girl children across SADC. In this respect, the Forum invites its longstanding partners to continue engaging the Forum in view of successfully interacting with the RPMLOC and aligning its processes for the ultimate benefit of girl children of the region.

The Forum also commends the theme of the “Digital Generation. Our Generation” chosen in 2021 to commemorate this august day as indeed girl children have endless potentials to tap from the digital possibilities that embrace the third decade of the new millennium. The digital world can act as a catalyst to serve the noble aspirations of girl children.  Indeed, girl children in SADC constitute the future of the region: they can be successful professionals, brilliant academics, loving mothers, ingenious innovators in industry, strategic investors, and so much more. Whichever path they will choose, the Forum commits to accompany them in their journey towards prosperity.

Happy International Day of the Girl Child 2021!

Yours sincerely,

Ms B. Sekgoma,Secretary General,

SADC Parliamentary Forum

11^th October 2021

Distinguished legal aid officials and participants,

It is with singular pleasure and satisfaction that I welcome you to this landmark Consultative Meeting on the SADC GBV Model Law. As you may be aware, this Consultative Meeting is being held after fruitful consultative meetings with all stakeholders in the legal fraternity – Indeed, the Forum has successfully garnered the views from judges and judicial officers, Magistrates, SADC lawyers and jurists, as well as prosecutors, to cite a few.

The fact that the Forum is today consulting with Legal Aid Officials demonstrates the depth of the Consultations engaged. Indeed, it would have been a missed opportunity not to engage Legal Aid officials who are themselves the custodians and guarantors of access to justice.

• Why is the consultation with Legal Aids Officials important?

It is trite that Legal Aid constitutes a gateway for access to justice for those who are at the bottom of the social ladder and cannot afford to pay court and counsel’s fees. This is compounded with the fact that unreported cases of GBV is often from the most vulnerable segment of society, and thus GBV complainants need to apply for legal aid to be able to adequately seize the court system, especially where civil matters are concerned.

In this respect, protection orders, occupancy orders or tenancy orders which are issued by the Court in the context of GBV offending are all involved with the legal aid process. In addition, in the criminal justice system, depending on the SADC Member State jurisdiction, legal aid can also assist GBV complainants who attend a police station without counsel. In short, legal aid comes at the rescue of those who cannot pay for their own legal fees.

In the context of the GBV Model Law, the Forum wanted to ensure that the Model Law contains sufficient legal aid provisions to assist GBV complainants, victims, or other GBV stakeholders, hence this engagement of paramount importance with you today.

• Legal aid and human rights

Having said the above, I would like to give some insight into the linkages between the Forum’s mandate and the provision of legal aid in SADC Member States.

As you may be aware, the Forum has clear objectives to promote a culture of human rights and to ensure gender equality in accordance with its Strategic Plan (2019-2023). While GBV is a clear infringement of several human rights such as the right to health, physical integrity, and the prohibition of torture and inhuman treatment, access to justice is equally another human right. Access to justice refers to prompt access to the court system through affordable avenues and with limited delay to obtain redress.

Thus, while eradicating GBV and implementing human rights, the Forum needs to consider all relevant human rights comprehensively, through a purposive approach.

At the same time, the Forum as an institutional organ of the SADC stands guided by the SADC Regional Strategy for GBV (2018-2030). The Regional Strategy has earmarked the need for a human rights compliant legal framework for GBV that could assist GBV victims in all SADC Member States.

The initiative of the Forum to prepare and implement the SADC GBV Model Law thus marks the convergence of several imperatives and priorities which have ripened over the years both regionally and at the national level. Additionally, the Model Law is a continuation of commitments taken through the Abuja Declaration, Sustainable Development Goal 5 as well as the AU’s Africa Agenda 2063. The Forum is thus threading on the right path of implementation of human rights and addressing its obstacles when it is weaving the issue of legal aid into the GBV discourse and reflecting same in its flagship Model Law.

• What does the     Forum       expect          from       Legal    Aid Officials

Distinguished Legal Aid Officials and participants,

Before I end, I wish to share a few pointers to guide today’s session. During this session, you are encouraged to interact openly and frankly with the Legal drafter and the facilitator.

You may wish to consider whether and to what extent should legal aid apply in the realm of GBV, and if it does apply which areas of the Model Law need to be revisited to ensure that legal aid is available to GBV complainants.

Furthermore, there is a need to provide for a means test for legal aid which would give a framework for national jurisdictions to consider. Since the SADC Model Law is a benchmarking legal instrument which will remain as a yardstick for SADC Member Parliaments, specific figures in the means test need not be given. Yet, parameters for legal aid may be considered in view of assisting Member Parliaments in the legislative process to devise a means test. For instance, it is now well known that considering income of an individual alone is not sufficient for legal aid, and that both income and assets are to be considered. Yet, there is a need to ascertain how to consider both income and assets and set parameters for same in a way which is human rights friendly and does not unduly prejudice meritorious applications for legal aid. This balancing exercise would thus be an important consideration for legal aid officials as they consider the provisions of the Model Law and devise a means test that could be used as a broad benchmark.

Having given the above essential pointers, I thank you again for your attendance today and wish you all a pleasant session.

Thank You.

Ms B.Sekgoma, Secretary General,

SADC Parliamentary Forum 8th October 2021

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