Controversial bill on agenda as parliament opens

The National Assembly resumes its normal business today after the 2025 opening was postponed yesterday to honour late president Hage Geingob, who passed away one year ago.

According to parliament, the Public Meetings and Demonstrations Bill is first on the agenda and is set to be finalised before 21 March. Today will mark the second reading of the controversial new bill, with debates set to continue.

Among other provisions, the bill requires that notice of any demonstration be submitted at least five days in advance to the nearest Namibian police station commander and that the police must grant permission for the protest. Additionally, an organiser for the protest must be identified, who could face up to a year in prison or a fine of N$5 000 if any requirements of the new law are not met or if unrest, damage or violence occurs as a result of the protest.

Last year, the bill was criticised as unconstitutional, suppressive of opposition viewpoints and regressive, given the freedoms Namibians have enjoyed since independence.

- Augetto Graig