National symbols must be respected – MPs

MPs Joseph Desire Nyandwi and Spéciose Mukandutiye, on Monday once more stressed that the national anthem must have its due ceremonial respect. The Lower Chamber early this month approved the two members’ amendment bills who want the current laws revised. The two were defending amendments to various laws before the Commitee on Education, Technology, Culture and Youth.The legislations being amended include one modifying a 2008 law determining the characteristics and ceremonies of the national flag, and another amending a 2008 law determining the characteristics, description, ceremonial and respect of the national flag.Nyandwi explained that article five in the current law on the national anthem stipulates that when the national anthem is sung in public ceremonies, people will respectfully stand at attention, apart from special cases such as people with disabilities or any others. MPs agree that there will be genuine exceptions like security personnel, photo journalists, and others, but care is being taken to cite only those that are really special. As noted, people with hats should remove them, apart from those who could be exempted on religious grounds or any other valid reason.Another issue is article six of the current law, which stipulates that “the national anthem shall be sung in its entirety.” On this, Nyandwi noted that, however, when it comes to receiving visiting Heads of State and when they are leaving the country, the existing law stipulates that “there shall be sung the first and last verses.” According to Nyandwi, this has limitations, especially when the national anthem is sung in full while a visitng Head of State is being received, due to problems in protocol arrangements.MPs agree that when eventually approved, effort should be made to educate the population on the legislations so that no one is punished just because they did not know the changes to the laws. “This will require directives being sent to all local administrative authorities up to the village level. It also requires educating people,” noted Samuel Musabyimana, a member of the Committee on Education, Technology, Culture and Youth.On the other hand, the draft amendment to the national flag law is such that the tissue in which the national flag is made of is determined by a ministerial order and it also spells out that the national flag is designed in four different ways – a large flag, a small flag, a flag designed as medal, and any other way that would be determined by a presidential order.The draft amendment clarifies some issues including the right to possess the national flag.It stipulates that article 7 of the current law is amended and complemented such that an association having legal personality, an institution and an individual have the right to possess the national flag in respect of the provisions of the laws.“Individuals also have the right to make, posses, and utilize items resembling the national flag in ways that do not deteriorate the value of the national flag,” reads part of the draft amendment to the national flag law. On the issue of swearing before the national flag, it is stipulated that any person swearing before the national flag designated for this purpose holds the flag with the left hand and raises the right hand.On the use of the national flag in funerals, the bill stipulates that the larger flag be used to cover the coffin containing the bodies of dignitaries designated by a presidential order. In that case, it is stipulated that the flag must cover the coffin and should not touch the ground, and nothing else should be put on top of it.The MPs will also consider provisions for sanctions on offenders.