President Nangolo Mbumba rejected Jerry Ekandjo’s anti-same-sex marriage bills due to constitutional concerns. Minister //Hoebes confirmed the decision, citing lack of majority support and procedural shortcomings. The president’s cautious approach highlights the need for adherence to constitutional standards in legislative processes regarding human rights.
President Nangolo Mbumba has formally declined to endorse Swapo parliamentarian Jerry Ekandjo’s proposed anti-same-sex marriage bills, citing their constitutional implications. This announcement was made by Minister in the Presidency Christine //Hoebes during parliamentary proceedings on Thursday, following Ekandjo’s request for updates regarding his bills.
Ekandjo expressed frustration last week, accusing //Hoebes of evasion due to her absences from parliament discussions concerning the bills. According to //Hoebes, Mbumba chose not to sign the bills, which aim to redefine ‘spouse’ and ‘marriage’ to prohibit same-sex unions and criminalize homosexuality in Namibia.
These bills, introduced by Ekandjo in 2023, were not supported by a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly (NA) and posed constitutional challenges. They sought to impose severe penalties, including fines of N$100,000 or imprisonment for those violating the proposed laws concerning same-sex marriage.
//Hoebes explained that upon assuming office after former president Hage Geingob, Mbumba reassessed the bills to ensure they adhered to constitutional principles and procedural necessities. The president’s concerns were primarily regarding the law-making process and whether the bills conformed to constitutional requirements within the Namibian legislative framework.
The Minister noted that the proposed legislation fell short of fundamental standards in legislative drafting specific to Namibia and highlighted the president’s cautious approach to the potential constitutional repercussions of the bills, as they had not undergone a proper constitutionality review or been subjected to drafting guidance prior to parliamentary discussion.
In summary, President Mbumba’s refusal to sign Ekandjo’s anti-gay bills underscores significant constitutional concerns and procedural inadequacies within the legislative process. The decision reflects a commitment to uphold constitutional integrity and highlights the need for legislative measures to align with established norms and standards. This situation emphasizes the complexities involved in the legislative handling of issues pertaining to human rights in Namibia.
Original Source: www.namibian.com.na
