National Council back in business after break

THE National Council resumed its work in Windhoek yesterday, after having adjourned on December 8 last year.

During its current session, the Council will review the Children’s Status Bill and the State-Owned Enterprises Bill, which were passed by the National Assembly at the end of last year. The National Council is the last step in a bill’s journey to becoming law, and Council has 90 days in which to either pass or reject a bill referred to it by the National Assembly.Both the State-Owned Enterprises Bill and the Children’s Status Bill were referred to National Council Select Committees for further scrutiny last year, and last week both Committees held public discussions in Windhoek before the start of the Council session this week.The Standing Committee appointed to scrutinise the Children’s Status Bill is scheduled to report on its findings to the National Council today.During the public meetings on the bill, a number of women’s rights organisations objected to loopholes in the bill, such as one which grants convicted rapists equal custody and guardianship over a child born from such an act.The National Council is the last step in a bill’s journey to becoming law, and Council has 90 days in which to either pass or reject a bill referred to it by the National Assembly.Both the State-Owned Enterprises Bill and the Children’s Status Bill were referred to National Council Select Committees for further scrutiny last year, and last week both Committees held public discussions in Windhoek before the start of the Council session this week.The Standing Committee appointed to scrutinise the Children’s Status Bill is scheduled to report on its findings to the National Council today.During the public meetings on the bill, a number of women’s rights organisations objected to loopholes in the bill, such as one which grants convicted rapists equal custody and guardianship over a child born from such an act.