Resolutions from Cabinet

CABINET announced its latest resolutions in a press statement issued at the end of last week: AU RIGHTS COURT CABINET approved Namibia’s accession to the Protocol of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights during its latest session.

The Constitutive Act on the African Union (AU) provides that the court would promote and protect human rights in accordance with the African Charter of Human and Peoples’ Rights and other relevant human rights instruments. The Protocol is the legal instrument that gives effect to the stated objectives and it will also operationalise the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.The court will have jurisdiction over the application of the African Charter and any other relevant human rights instruments ratified by member states of the African Union.The court will have the powers to give advisory opinions to state parties, the AU or any African organisation recognised by the African Union.OIL POLLUTION CONVENTION Cabinet has given its approval in principle for Namibia to accede to the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Responses and Co-operation.It authorised the Minister of Works, Transport and Communication to table the convention in the National Assembly for consideration.Cabinet also instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs to effect the accession on behalf of Namibia to the International Maritime Organisation once it has been considered by Parliament.The convention provides a global framework for international co-operation in combating major incidents or threats of marine pollution.Parties to the convention are required to establish measures for dealing with pollution incidents, either nationally or in co-operation with other countries.The convention also calls for the establishment of stockpiles of oil-spill combating equipment, the holding of oil-spill combating exercises and the development of detailed plans for dealing with pollution incidents.RFA BOARD Cabinet has approved the re-appointment of Teckla Lameck and Harald Schmidt to the Board of Directors of the Road Fund Administration (RFA) for three years.Both of them previously served on the Board, but their terms of office had expired.Melvin Sililo is the other Board member, who was appointed in September 2005 to replace former Deputy Transport Minister Klaus Dierks, who passed away.Gerson Katjimune and Titus Haimbili, who previously served on the Board, are no longer available for reappointment.The vacancies left by them will be filled as soon as possible.The Protocol is the legal instrument that gives effect to the stated objectives and it will also operationalise the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.The court will have jurisdiction over the application of the African Charter and any other relevant human rights instruments ratified by member states of the African Union.The court will have the powers to give advisory opinions to state parties, the AU or any African organisation recognised by the African Union. OIL POLLUTION CONVENTION Cabinet has given its approval in principle for Namibia to accede to the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Responses and Co-operation.It authorised the Minister of Works, Transport and Communication to table the convention in the National Assembly for consideration.Cabinet also instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs to effect the accession on behalf of Namibia to the International Maritime Organisation once it has been considered by Parliament.The convention provides a global framework for international co-operation in combating major incidents or threats of marine pollution.Parties to the convention are required to establish measures for dealing with pollution incidents, either nationally or in co-operation with other countries.The convention also calls for the establishment of stockpiles of oil-spill combating equipment, the holding of oil-spill combating exercises and the development of detailed plans for dealing with pollution incidents.RFA BOARD Cabinet has approved the re-appointment of Teckla Lameck and Harald Schmidt to the Board of Directors of the Road Fund Administration (RFA) for three years.Both of them previously served on the Board, but their terms of office had expired.Melvin Sililo is the other Board member, who was appointed in September 2005 to replace former Deputy Transport Minister Klaus Dierks, who passed away.Gerson Katjimune and Titus Haimbili, who previously served on the Board, are no longer available for reappointment.The vacancies left by them will be filled as soon as possible.