Kigali: The Lower House of Parliament on Monday concluded their five-year term and now could be heading straight into the coming elections scheduled September 15 – 18, RNA reports.

The 2003 elections saw the dominant Rwanda Patriotic Front win 33 of 53 seats, and in coalition with several smaller parties, they actually control 40 seats. Some other seats go to women and interest groups such as youth and the disabled.

The smaller parties have little influence over policy, and the two non-coalition parties cooperate with rather than criticise the RPF, according to a study published in February by Oxford University scholars.  

Critics say the chamber has largely been a stump for government without any serious oversee – an accusation lawmakers reject. Some member put their performance at over 90 percent.

The recommendations from the vetting of government have been adopted correcting any errors that could have arisen, said House Speaker Alfred Mukezamfura.

The highs of the House include a report last year on the prevalence of Genocide revisionism – know here as Genocide Ideology – where in some schools, lawmakers found ethnic distinctions. The findings led to the transfer of Education Minister Jean d’Arc Mujawamariya to the Gender portfolio.

Just last month, Lawmakers passed a constitutional review bill allowing for a change of up to 50 articles and adding more. Controversial among them was the introduction of immunity against prosecution of Heads of State – even after they leave office.

Parliament is also under fire from rights campaigners after the tenures of Judges was changed from a lifetime to a four-year review. Human Rights Watch said that would undermine the independence of the judiciary.

According to Mr. Mukezamfura, the 80-member chamber has passed 281 bills, and that already 219 have been published in the Official Gazette – meaning the bills went through all the hurdles.

Despite ending their term, Lawmakers agreed to come for more extra-ordinary sessions to complete the numerous laws yet to be passed.

Among the bills worked on were those that were essential for the smooth functioning with the whole state apparatus including justice, investment, decentralization and administration public institutions, Mr. Mukezamfura told the House.

In 2004, the Chamber called for the dissolution of Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (Ligue Rwandaise pour la promotion et la défense des droits de l'homme, or Liprodhor) and four other civil society organizations on accusations they supported Genocidal ideas. Campaigners were again up in arms.
Some 48 percent of the seats in the Rwandan Chamber of Deputies are held by women, but debate still remains on the assessment of this constitutional requirement. (End)

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