COMMITTEE ON RULES, PRIVILEGES AND DISCIPLINE (2013)

The Committee is tasked with assisting the Bureau in interpretation and application of the Rules of Procedure, considering requests for waiver of immunity and discipline submitted under the Rules, considering proposals for the amendment of the Rules of Procedure, and considering cases of indiscipline. In 2010 the Committee took part in events that were crucial to transform the PAP into an organ with legal powers

COMMITTEE ON RULES, PRIVILEGES AND DISCIPLINE (2013)

2010 SESSION
Since the last Ordinary Session from 12–20 April, the Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline carried out a number of activities, the most important being:

  • The meeting between delegates of the PAP, the AU Commission and the Office of the Legal Counsel of the AU on the decision of Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU to review the PAP’s protocol.
  • A Committee delegation participated in a workshop to validate the reviewed Protocol to the Treaty, establishing the African Economic Community in relation to the PAP.
  • The Committee Chairperson participated in the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU, which took place in Kampala in July 2010.

These activities are crucial to transform the PAP into an organ with legal powers. The main objective was to ensure a dynamic and proactive follow-up on the implementation of decisions taken at the Heads of State Conference in January 2009, which related to the review of the protocol and transformation of the PAP.

The Charter will help accelerate integration on the African continent, which requires consistent and reliable statistical data

During its statutory meetings, the Committee considered other important issues including:

  • Its budget for the 2011 financial year.
  • The African Charter on Statistics.
  • The recurrence of non-ratification of treaties adopted by the AU.
  • Finalising the code of conduct of the PAP Member.

The vote of the amendments to the PAP Rules of Procedure as well as the need to define a coherent, rational and effective policy with regard to the Parliament’s communication.

During July and September 2010, the Chairperson, Vice-Chair and other Members of the Committee participated in three regional consultative meetings. These focused on the process of transformation of the PAP and the ratification of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.

The meetings, organised by the PAP, took place in Kampala (Uganda) for the East Africa region; N’Djamena (Chad) for the Central Africa region; and Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) for the Southern African region. The representatives of the Committee presented on the process of transforming the PAP into an organ with full legislative powers.

Yeo Dossina, from the AU Commission, presented the African Charter on Statistics to the Committee. According to Dossina, the Charter will help accelerate integration on the African continent, which requires consistent and reliable statistical data in all areas of political, socio-economic and cultural life.

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