CSOs angry over delays in tabling ATI bill
Some human rights groups have accused government of “taking the citizens’ trust for granted” through continued delays in tabling the Access to Information (ATI) bill in Parliament.
In a statement issued today, executive directors for Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), Timothy Mtambo, and Centre for Development of People (Cedep), Gift Trapence, expressed shock at the delay, saying it is unwarranted and an insult to Malawians.
The remarks follow contradictory remarks from Capital Hill regarding the tabling of the bill.
While opening the 46th session of Parliament recently, President Peter Mutharika promised that the bill will be tabled during the current session.
But in a statement released on Wednesday, Information and Civic Education Minister, Jappie Mhango, said Cabinet rejected the bill on Tuesday because of “inconsistencies therein”.
He said a Cabinet Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs has since been directed to resolve the inconsistencies.
“The public is hereby assured that Government is doing everything possible to ensure that the Bill is ready for presentation in the National Assembly during the current session. This is the first time that this Bill has been tabled before a full Cabinet,” he said.
But in a statement Thursday, Mtambo and Trapence described the delay as unfortunate, saying Malawians can no longer entertain further excuses on the bill.
“By promising Malawians what he cannot deliver, as is the case with ATI and other numerous instances, the incumbent is simply taking the citizens’ trust for granted. To this end, we call upon the President and the DPP [Democratic Progressive Party] government to ensure that the ATI bill is passed into law in the current sitting of Parliament. Malawians can no longer entertain further excuses on the Bill,” reads the statement in part.
If passed, the ATI law will, among others, provide for the right of access to information; define the scope of public information the public has the right to access; establish the (Independent) Public Information Commission and define its functions; and promote transparency and accountability of public officers.
That is very laughable position the DPP government finds itself in. Two issues come to mind from this scenario. 1 The Cabinet has undermined the authority of the President because by making the statement in his address to parliament, the president showed that there was consensus in his government to move in that direction and for cabinet to reject the wishes of the president on behalf of the nation, it means the Cabinet is larger than the president so he should show everyone the exit. 2. All along the DPP government knew the Bill will not be ready but decided to lie to the nation and come up with this as a reason why the Bill might not be tabled at this sitting. Someone is misleading the government on this issue.