Lawmakers begin recess

The two houses of parliament have wrapped up their business to go for a two-month recess.

Tuesday, August 07, 2012

The two houses of parliament have wrapped up their business to go for a two-month recess.The break comes after MPs passed several bills, including the Armed Forces Shop (AFOS) bill, which is set to see military and police personnel be able to buy a number of essential goods duty free.Last week, the Chamber of Deputies also passed the whistle-blowers’ bill, which will protect reporters of graft-related crimes."It is a two-month break as usual. but as stipulated in the law, there can always be extraordinary sessions whenever there is urgent business for the House to consider,” the Director of Communications at Parliament, Augustin Habimana, told The New Times on Monday.The Chamber of Deputies also approved resolutions by a joint Chamber of Deputies-Senatorial committee on the bill determining allowances and benefits for top politicians.The lawmakers are scheduled to hold a joint news conference today to highlight key accomplishment during the just concluded 2012 second ordinary session.