MPs defer local administrative police bill

MPs on Friday voted to defer a bill establishing the Local Administrative Police (LAP), arguing that major responsibilities, its organisation as well as functioning, were not clear and could cause grave difficulties in the future. If approved, the LAP will replace the Local Defence Force.MPs demonstrated unease, noting especially that issues in the security domain cannot be allowed to pass in an obscure manner as they would cause unnecessary trouble, later on.This was during the House’s morning plenary after the chamber of deputies’ standing committee on foreign affairs, cooperation and security, headed by deputy chairperson, Julienne Uwacu, presented its report on the bill establishing the LAP and determining its responsibilities, organization and functioning.The debate largely got stuck on articles three and four and ultimately, Deputy Speaker, Evariste Kalisa, who presided over the morning plenary, accepted lawmakers’ calls for a vote on the way forward. Article three of the bill – in its current form – stipulates that LAP’s major responsibilities will include: supporting local administrative entities with legal status in the enforcement of notices, decisions and instructions made; ensuring the general security of local administrative entities; prevention of crimes, arresting and taking “the culprits before competent authorities”; and to investigate and submit the information related to the security to the competent authorities.Hon.Innocent Kayitare and others also objected noting that LAP was given similar roles as the national police and nothing was clear on LAP members’ academic qualifications. Suggesting that the LAP should either be well equipped or the national police numbers increased, as they appear to be doing the same things, Kayitare added: “These responsibilities are very serious and if you set up an institution without proper monitoring mechanisms, it will cause us serious problems.”In an attempt to allay fears, Dr. Alvera Mukabaramba, State Minister for Social Affairs in the Ministry of Local Government, noted that LAP will not usurp the powers and responsibilities of current security organs, but will merely support and collaborate with existing agencies like the police.She noted that the LAP will conduct itself in a proper manner and will abide by the law and is not allowed to lock up people. Article four – on the organization and functioning of LAP – caused even more unease. It states that the executive committee at the district or Kigali city level shall approve the LAP head and his or her assistant in charge of coordinating activities and supervision of the functioning of members, but a district may designate members at the respective sector and cell.Lawmakers disproved of this set up and an ensuing debate resulted in a vote in favour of the whole bill being returned to the committee.

National

MPs defer local administrative police bill