ON TUESDAY AUGUST 22, 2023, the Liberian Senate commenced a two week Special session to deliberate on issues of National concerns.
THE SPECIAL SESSION, as provided by law, is in fulfilment of Article 32(b) of the 1986 Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, which says: The President shall, on his own initiative or upon receipt of a certificate signed by at least one-fourth of the total membership of each House and by proclamation, extend a regular session of the Legislature beyond the date for adjournment or call a special or extraordinary session of that body to discuss or act upon matters of national emergency and concern.
“TO DISCUSS OR act upon matters of national emergency and concern.” We emphasized this, considering the fact that bundle of controversies still hang over the amended abortion law, as such, it shouldn’t be treated with urgency.
RECENTLY, HEALTH EXPERTS recommended that any abortion laws in Liberia should consider 12 weeks gestation, the first trimester of pregnancy, as the cut off point for elective abortions. This is contrary to the amended law that talks about 18weeks gestation.
ALSO, THERE’S CURRENT a serious pressure againstwhat many described as the extreme abortion bill, as it has been researched that it will end an estimated 40,000 lives each year in Liberia.
PRIOR TO THE kick-start of the special session, we were alerted about the inclusion of the public health law, among things that will be addressed during the two weeks. Interestingly, this was acknowledged by President Pro-Tempore, Albert T. Chie, during the opening session.
AS IT STANDS, matters that will be discussed this week are the Public Health Law, which contains the amended abortion law, the issues of elections, the attraction of Public Sector investment, continuation of the confirmation process for nominated Commissioners of the of the Liberia Anti- Corruption Commissioners amongst other.
INTERESTINGLY, WE SEE a visible essentiality and some forms of urgency in the issues of elections, the attraction of Public Sector investment, continuation of the confirmation process for nominated Commissioners of the of the Liberia Anti- Corruption Commissioners amongst other, but possibly not the amended abortion law.
MOREOVER, THE PRO-Temp Chie in his statement during the opening session noted that the public health law contains many contemporary issues important to health care delivery in the Liberian society other than the issue of abortion contained in the bill.
THEREFORE, CONSIDERING THE different reactions from Liberians, especially with the different apt recommendations that have been proffered by health experts, the Senate should decline on acting upon the amended abortion law during this special session, and reserve it until the exhaust, and gather the best ways forward following their return after the elections.
THIS, WE BELIEVE will afford them more time to critically critique it, and aid them in having it done more appropriately.
AS REVEALED BY Pro-Temp Chie, the last one week can be used to address the bill contains issues on bio-security and bio-safety, improvement on occupational health, provision on foods and other products for infants and young children, new chapter on traditional alternative medicines, new provision for emergency treatment and many others.
INTRINSICALLY AS WE know, this last week can be used to have a better understanding from the National Elections Commission (NEC) on its total preparedness for the conduct of the Legislative and Presidential Elections on October 10, 2023 including the issue of security in elections’.
THIS WEEK CAN also be used to conduct the Briefing from the Ministry of Public Works on the mandate given by the Liberian Senate to have the two primary south-eastern road corridors pliable within 30 day and, the passage of the free tuition Act among others, as disclosed by the pro-tempore, rather than a 4G amended abortion law which aftermath we might have remedy for.
