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"id": 844013,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/844013/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Orengo",
"speaker_title": "The Senate Minority Leader",
"speaker": {
"id": 129,
"legal_name": "Aggrey James Orengo",
"slug": "james-orengo"
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"content": "In paragraph four of this Report, the FP-ICGLR talks about intervention in the following priority areas: Peace and security, democracy and governance, human rights and social issues, economic development and gender, children and vulnerable person. Whereas I support the Report and the organisation that this should be encouraged instead of being criticized, I hope that the Chairperson and the leader of the delegation, whom I respect very much--- In fact, if there is anybody who has been oppressed and hunted like a wild animal just for standing firm for the truth, it is the leader of this delegation. He had to run away to the United States of America (USA) while serving as a Member of Parliament. Imagine! He had to wait for a little while to come back. Truly, I am proud of the people of West Pokot County because when he came back in the arena of a new beginning under the new constitutional order, there was no stopping him. He found himself back into Parliament in the National Assembly and even became a Cabinet Minister. I am crying for this region because people sacrifice a lot to make democracy prevail. However, in terms of our conduct and actions, we do everything possible to push the clock back. So, I would recommend to this Forum that the next time they meet, there should be an audit of every country. Let every delegation give a status report, especially on the issue of human rights, including even electoral justice. I do not want to criticize any State or Government, but in Rwanda the only people who are standing up for democracy are women and they are locked up in prisons. Who speaks for them? I think there were three women who have vied for the presidency in the elections in Rwanda before, yet we cannot say a word in support of such women who are showing such courage that is probably comparable to even the Nobel Peace Laureate, Leymah. I do not think what they are experiencing is something that one would want to wish away. Madam Temporary Speaker, let us talk about what is happening in South Sudan. Unless we have proper and true democracy, it is wrong to meet as a forum of Parliaments amongst people who have not been properly elected, and you say that you are parliamentarians. If you look at the record of some of these countries, truly speaking, quite a number of them do not have free and fair elections. I hope that having known about this Forum now, I may be energized to join in and see what little contribution I can give, because I am persuaded that the work they are doing is for the good of the region. However, let us speak the truth to the leadership of the region. If parliamentarians cannot speak truth to power, then who can speak to governments in this region? In fact, without fear of contradiction or any power that may be, I think part of the problems in the Great Lakes Region is bad governance. If you look at the way refugees and conflicts are going on in the region, in the name of politics and power, I do not think this region deserves some of these experiences. Madam Temporary Speaker, without belabouring the point, I support but encourage that next time this Delegation--- I congratulate those who were elected into the executive, including the leader of the delegation, who probably has been serving in the executive and still remains there. I also congratulate Sen. Kasanga, who we are told is now serving in a committee of the Forum. All that is for the better, but next time let us have something more substantive that looks like a Report from parliamentarians who are dealing with the problems of the region. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate. "
}