Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT Hage Geingob today officially opened the 5th Session of the 7th Parliament for the legislative year 2022 where he highlighted bills that will be tabled in the National Assembly this year, that among others include amendments to the combating of gender-based violence and rape bills that are spearheaded to curb the skyrocketing numbers of rape and assault of women in the country.
In his statement, Geingob noted that the Combating of Rape Amendment Bill will greatly assist in combating, curbing and eliminating the incidences of rape to safeguard innocent women and children from this evil committed by criminally-minded citizens.
“The incidences of rape must not only be severely reduced but must be totally eradicated from the Namibian society because this vile crime is a scourge which demeans and violates the dignity of our people. Hence, perpetrators should receive the heaviest punishment under our laws to deter them from committing this evil.” Geingob said.
The president noted that similarly, the passing of the Combating of Domestic Violence Amendment Bill is to stamp out the high cases of gender-based violence against which the Namibian society has been crying out for over 30 years.
“We hope that this will tighten the loopholes and enable easier reporting, investigation and punishment of gender-based violence cases. This bill should serve as a serious reminder to offenders and would-be offenders that gender-based violence is a taboo in the Republic of Namibia, punishable through heavy prison sentences,” Geingob said.
The president further shared that the other bills include the new Divorce Bill which will make it easier for couples to divorce.
“As it stands, one can only divorce if one can prove that adultery or indiscretion has taken place. With the new bill, if two married persons have reached irreconcilable differences, they will be able to divorce. Hopefully, this contributes to reducing violence as well. However, we are not encouraging divorce,” Geingob said.
The president further noted that the Obsolete Laws Bill will provide for the repeal of certain obsolete laws many of which are discriminatory on the grounds of gender, race, colour, ethnic origin, religion and creed as well as social and economic status. There is no place for such laws in the Namibian House, Geingob noted.
Geingob stated that the Torture Bill originates from the bitter historical experiences of the majority of Namibian citizens under the colonial apartheid administration which had subjected them to physical torture.
He noted that the bill will give expression to the aspirations of the Namibian Constitution to maintain the dignity of every Namibian citizen as sacrosanct, by outlawing the practice of State-sanctioned torture and physical abuse of citizens.
“Its promulgation will forever put to rest the ghost of State-sanctioned torture in Namibia,” Geingob concluded.
