Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Kabul (BNA) The Wolesi Jirga on Monday failed to approve proposed amendments to the house internal procedures due to a lack of quorum.
A bill seeking changes to Rule 11 of the procedures was presented before the house by the legislative commission’s head, Nazir Ahmad Hanafi, in the session.
Under the rule, the speaker and administrative board members can be dismissed with a one third majority after an absolute decision of an authorized court.
Grounds for their dismissal include “committing treason, crimes against humanity or an incurable disease that prevents the performance of duties.”
Hanafi said the amended draft suggested the speaker’s impeachment and dismissal of house members with the approval of a one third majority.
In addition to the aforementioned circumstances, he said, the speaker could be disqualified if he remained absent from house sessions for 20 days on the trot.
But speaker Abdul Rauf Ibrahimi said the proposed changes were in contradiction with Articles 25, 27 and 106 of the Constitution.
Article 25 says: “Innocent is the original state, an accused person is considered innocent until convicted by an authorized court.” Article 27 states: “No act is considered a crime, unless determined by a law adopted prior to the date of the offense.
No person can be detained but in accordance with provisions of law. “No person can be punished but in accordance with the decision of an authorized court and in conformity with the law adopted before the date of the offense.”
Ibrahimi said since the draft was in contradiction with the Constitution, it should be referred to the Independent Commission for Overseeing the Implementation of Constitution (ICOIC).
