Haveeru
Daily News Artilce 29 March 2005
http://www.haveeru.com.mv/
Quick Translation
Sound Regulations and Principles to be Established if Work on Constitution
Amendments to Finish in a Year: EU
29 March 2005
Hussain Fiyaz Moosa
The European Union (EU) delegation said today if work to amend the Constitution
is to be completed within one year, sound regulations and principles have to be
established.
In a news conference held today, Nina Gill, the Chairperson of the six member
delegation which arrived in Male’ on the 25th of this month told reporters that
the work planned for the amendment of the Constitution is being impeded by the
huge differences of opinion. And that to this day amendment debates have yet to
commence.
Commenting on the subject, Jo Leinen said that a large number of people greatly
desire progressive change. Leinen also noted the lack of organisation that is
hampering the progress of the work of amending the Constitution and remarked
that in European nations there have been instances of constitutions being
amended within a year.
In the light of his experience he further stated that while the work of amending
the Constitution is being carried forth, the work of the Leadership Drafting
Committee needs to be strengthened. “A duration for speeches of members needs to
be established,” Leinen said.
He also noted that it was important to establish a set time table in carrying
forth the work of amending the Constitution. In this way, that in continuing the
work, it was important to establish a certain duration for the presentation of
opinions on sections to be included in the Constitution, then a certain duration
to deliberate upon it and lastly, a duration to reach resolutions.
“It is necessary for (every member) to support the majority,” Leinen said.
“Resolutions cannot be reached in a way that satisfies everyone.”
Nina said that if the work of amending the Constitution gets delayed it would be
very hard for the international community to believe that the government desires
positive changes and that the international community wants a beginning not an
end to progressive change.
The EU delegation also stated that during this visit to the Maldives the
relationship between the EU and the Maldives has been strengthened to a large
extent and that they had been able to gauge how things are in the Maldives.
Ends