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{
    "id": 1008370,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1008370/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 328,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Suna North, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Ms.) Odhiambo-Mabona",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I support the Bill, except I was hoping the Committee would have given us reasons why they are introducing a new Bill after the old one. I do not know what mischief they are trying to redress. I have looked at the new one and there are minor differences which could have been effected through amendments. I am happy that the Bill has non-reformate provision. Even though the Chairperson of the Committee has spoken about non-discrimination as a principle, it is missing in the Bill. So, I hope they can provide for that. Because of time, I will not get to the background that Members have talked about. I just want to raise some issues that I have noticed are of concern. Number one, in terms of definition, I would like to request the Committee to expand the definition of essential services to include shelter and reproductive rights. We have seen through COVID-19 that when you have responses that are health-related and you do not specify reproductive health, then pregnant women suffer. I am happy that the word ‘spouse’ includes common law spouse. Under refugee circumstances, it is likely to happen that people would meet and marry. I am also happy that the Bill includes children born out of wedlock. I would encourage the Committee to use the recognised international language: a treaty is not done; it is adopted. I would want to also encourage that internationally there is a growing adoption of other grounds for recognition of refugee status, including torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment or treatment such as cases of female genital mutilation (FGM) or killings. Cases where a person can actually prove that they are running away from such instances are considered. That should be included. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, if you look at Clause 4(d), you will find that a person should not be denied refugee status just because he or she has sought asylum in another country; it should be that he or she has been granted asylum in another country. I am not very happy with the advisory Committee as constituted because it is very Government-heavy. When it is Government-heavy, it is very difficult to ensure gender representation. I suggest that, like the old law, we provide representation of civil society. There is a clause that I always have a problem with; and I have seen it in the Tea Bill that I had proposed The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}