The Chairman of the Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) Judge (Rtd) Joseph Warioba stressed has that the ongoing constitution forums should operate independently, warning that the CRC would not consider views given under undue influence.
The Chairman of the Constitution Review Commission and former Prime Minister, Judge Joseph Warioba
“CRC has noted of some meddling in the forums but we have so far gained experience to distinguish views which have been given under influence and those aired independently.
“Some sections of the public have also engaged in witch-hunting on some recommendations in the draft constitution that was unveiled in June, this year. We should understand that we have differing views on some of items contained in the draft but eventually we should reach a consensus,” he noted.
Judge Warioba made the call here yesterday while officiating at the closing of the three-day constitution forum bringing together women MPs through the Tanzania Women Parliamentary Group (TWPG) that started on Monday and ended yesterday in the historic town of Bagamoyo.
The remarks by Judge Warioba appear to stem from directives made by some political parties to their members on the parties’ stand on some issues in the draft constitution, particularly on the structure of the Union.
The CRC Chair went on to explain that the draft constitution, which is currently being reviewed by constitution forums countrywide, was a result of views collected from people when the commission traversed the country last year.
Hailing Tanzanians for cooperating with CRC in the process of drafting the envisaged basic law of the land, Judge Warioba also warned political parties against meddling in the process.
“It should be noted that the CRC will collect views from district constitution forums and those formed by institutions with same interests.We will only consider views from these forums, we will not tolerate opinions from political rallies,” he remarked. He pledged to the MPs that the commission will consider views given by TWPG on gender issues since he was positive that the views were given without influence.
Addressing journalists after the closing ceremony, the Chairperson of TWPG, Ms Anna Abdallah, said during the three-day forum the women parliamentarians, disregarding their political affiliations, reviewed the draft constitution on areas that would enhance gender equality in Tanzania.
“We were not discussing about ideologies but rather on how the new constitution should address gender equality by involving women in decision making and running of the country,” the veteran politician said. Ms Abdallah said MPs at the forum called for 50-50 representation from national to grass roots level among men and women.
“Women in Tanzania make over 51 per cent of the population, but since independence we have been subjected to various forms of oppression. We want the new constitution to be exemplary in strengthening gender equality,” she said.
She was flanked by Vice-Chair of TWPG, Ms Susan Lyimo and the association’s Secretary Ms Angellah Kairuki who is also Deputy Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs as well as TWPG’s Deputy Secretary, Dr Mary Mwanjelwa.
Some of the views proposed by the women legislators include allowing women to inherit property, own land and equal representation in organs of decision making in both public and private sector. The TWPG will now engage legal experts to draft their proposals which will be presented to the CRC for consideration in the envisaged constitution, according to Ms Abdallah.
By ALVAR MWAKYUSA, Tanzania Daily News
