Petitioners want Parliament to establish committee to handle rights violations

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Human rights activists say they are unable to serve Parliament with a petition during the Saba Saba protests seeking the establishment of a Joint Parliamentary Select Committee to investigate allegations of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, abductions and excessive use of force by security agencies.

The draft petition argues that Articles 94, 95 and 96 of the Constitution vest legislative authority in Parliament and confer oversight responsibilities on both the National Assembly and the Senate over national affairs and State institutions.

The activists argue that Parliament has a constitutional duty to ensure public institutions exercise power lawfully, transparently and in accordance with the Constitution.

They further cite Articles 244 and 245, which require the National Police Service (NPS) to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, accountability and respect for human rights while remaining subject to the Constitution and the law.

In the proposed petition, the activists ask Parliament to establish a Joint Parliamentary Select Committee to receive evidence from victims, affected families, constitutional commissions, security agencies, civil society organisations and members of the public before recommending legislative, policy and institutional reforms to strengthen accountability and safeguard constitutional rights.

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