National theme committee holds first meeting

More and more the glaring highly corrupted of the International communities workings is expressing itself - this is not a question of Small Nation - is is a question of vested interest and for whom. The Seychelles Exile communities have contributed importantly to COMECON, USSR changes, Europe, Latin America, OAU, China yet because it does not suit the UN, the World Bank, the USA Institutions - hence the ugly charade goes on and in the meantime those who become aware - they use and abuse this situation for their won ends and dirty politic. Minister Alan St Anges statement they will educate the world about the issues of Small Nation and Small Island State - they need to reeducate their good person - in exclusion the 21,000 exile/refugee a third of the Seychelles population - the real Powers this percentage hold and have in term and relation of global functionality in all the spheres of the planet and world workings - meaning if they do not engage them sooner or later there will be a major bust up. Like that earthquake and Tsunami of 2004/5

National theme committee holds first meeting

27-March-2014
The National Theme steering committee held its first meeting last week where discussions focused on devising an action plan.
The meeting, held at the ex-National Assembly meeting room at National House, was chaired by Minister Idith Alexander.

Like the minister mentioned in a News Extra session in February 2014, the action plan developed by committee members will consist of clear strategies aimed at promoting and educating the citizens of Seychelles as well as international communities on this year’s theme ‘International Year of Small Island Developing States: Seychelles – A Determined Island Nation’.

To ensure the successful implementation of these strategies, this year’s committee comprises members from various ministries and organisations from both the public and private sectors who are all working on a calendar of activities which will be launched next month.
The calendar will comprise a series of activities at national, regional and organisational levels.

A number of strategies, as well as memorabilia carrying this year’s logo will be used to raise public awareness on the activities being organised.
It was also noted by the chairperson that the media will be instrumental in providing timely information to the public in regards to the various activities that will be taking place to ensure maximum involvement.

The meeting ended with all the members pledging their support and commitment to ensure that all objectives set by the committee are achieved.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=241147

We just got some buzz from the USA and Seychelles Police about/over the two comments we have made - we would like to address President Obama very direct on our forum because when is has left Office those who will have to clean the mess. The same applies with President JA Michel and current France President.

We have stated time and time again that SIROP program loaded online have important capacity/capabilities one of them to drive respective France Economy - in France we have hundreds of well educated, affluent and long serving politicians. Yet their denial that this Program have delivered in the past and is delivering - instead they deploy and put into place highly corrupted mechanism which to cover their tracts and decision making process and at the same time use other mechanism - hoping that nobody will notice and see through - we have been working with High global economic and government workings for the past 30 years - right across the globe. If/should we start writing in details the input and issues we work and have worked.

In France and as in Seychelles or Britain those who are very aware and yet. France criticize other European nations and former Communist countries - the role of their media.

Had we to be in Europe say Belgium or Austria or France - within three months the French Economy and employment would have rebounded. - There is a very wired workings and the EU high Institutions are to blame after they have quasi centralized the Economic working of EU nations. Those many small politicians in Seychelles and Mauritius and Reunion well aware of what we are saying - then each lot/group go and garbage their constituent, their people and communities.

France have great Universities as do Germany Austria and other EU nations - what they teach and put into the future leaders and Executives of Europe. Unless we can either bring about a meeting half way - this situation will get out of hands - as in the past when all the politicians have gone in their holes - the people/citizens left to face eat their own muck.


Chômage : Sapin «porte sa part de responsabilité»
http://www.lefigaro.fr/emploi/2014/03/27/09005-20140327ARTFIG00090-chomage-sapin-porte-sa-part-de-responsabilite.php

Que peuvent les maires face au chômage de masse?
http://www.lefigaro.fr/emploi/2014/03/26/09005-20140326ARTFIG00316-que-font-les-maires-pour-l-emploi.php

National theme steering committee members discuss forthcoming events

17-April-2014

Minister Alexander chairing the meeting

Members of the national theme steering committee met for the second time last week and the main topic of discussion was the compilation of national, organisational and regional calendars of activities.

Forthcoming events the committee members will be taking part in this month were also discussed.

These activities include:
• Good Friday which falls on April 18;
• Earth Day whereby students will have the chance to visit neighbouring islands and learn about the biodiversity, management and achievements of these islands;
• Promotion of the national theme during the Honorary consuls conference from April 23-24;
• The fourth Carnaval International de Victoria from April 25-27 and which will help to raise awareness of different small island developing states (Sids); and
• A series of activities from April 28 to May 4 which includes a guided tour of the Ministry of Labour and Human Resource Development, reflection sessions on the national theme at district level, a gospel show, school quiz competition, a documentary tracing achievements and struggles in regards to employment in Seychelles and a sports fun day to commemorate Labour Day celebrated on May 1.
The committee’s chairperson, Minister Idith Alexander, is counting on the support of all the committee members and the general public to ensure the success of these activities. The activities for the month of May will be communicated in due course.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=241404

In the Constitutional court - ‘Parts of the POA unconstitutional’

08-July-2015
As for now Seychelles does not have a Public Order Act after the Constitutional court took a unanimous decision yesterday that 19 sections of the document are unconstitutional as they violate different Articles of the Constitution of Seychelles.

Summarising the 178-page judgment, acting Chief Justice Durai Karunakaran said sections 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9(2), 9(3), 9(4), 9(6), 11, 13(2)(a), 13(3)(a), 14(1), 22(3), 24, 29(2)(a), 29(2)(b), 29(2)(c)and 29(3) are unconstitutional.

Judges Gustave Dodin, Bernardin Renaud and Crawford Elliott Mckee also sat on the bench for the case.

The decision makes all the 19 sections of the Public Order Act, 2013 void, and representatives of both the petitioners and respondents have declared the decision as “historic”.
Yesterday’s judgment concerned the constitutionality of certain provisions of the Public Order Act, 2013 after two cases of similar nature were brought before the court.

The first petition was brought by the Seychelles National Party and Others against the Government of Seychelles and another. It challenged the constitutionality of sections 3(1), 3(2), 6, 8, 11(1), 12, 24 and 29 of the Act, seeking a declaration that those sections are unconstitutional and hence void.

The first case was entered on March 14, 2014 by the first petitioner, the Seychelles National Party represented by its president Wavel Ramkalawan; the second petitioner the Seselwa United Party represented by its then president Ralph Volcère, and by the third petitioner, Citizens Democracy Watch represented by Gelage Hoareau.
The first petitioners were represented by Learned Counsel Anthony Derjacques.

Viral Dhanjee, a citizen of Seychelles, brought the second petition against President James Michel and another. Mr Dhanjee challenged the constitutionality of the entire Act due to the extent to which it contravenes the Constitution of Seychelles.

According to the judgment, in his pleadings, Mr Dhanjee specifically challenged the following provisions: sections 3(2), 5(1)(a,b), 5(), 6(1)7, 8(3), 8(4), 8(5), 9, 10, 12, 13(1)(b), 15(1), 15(2), 16(1-5), 17, 18(1) and 3, 19(1)(b), 19(4-6), 20(1), 21, 2, 24, 26, 27, 29 and 33 of the Act.

Mr Dhanjee’s case was entered on March 27, 2014. He averred that he had, and continues to have political aspirations in terms of Article 24 of the Constitution which gives him the right to participate in government, and that the Act contravenes and is likely to contravene his rights under the Articles enumerated in paragraph 9 of his Petition, but more specifically Articles 22 and 23 of the Constitution.

He was represented by Learned Counsel Alexia Amesbury.
Attorney General Rony Govinden aided by Mr Anand represented the respondents.

Speaking to the local media, Learned Counsel Alexia Amesbury said the decision is “historic as for the first time in 22 years the Constitutional Court has used powers given to them under the Constitution to declare an Act inconsistent with the Constitution and to declare it void”.

She added: “The interesting thing about this particular piece of legislation is we had the Public Order Act 1959 which was before our Constitution, so the Public Order Act 2013 was supposed to have brought the 1959 Act in line with the Constitution, but instead it violates the Constitution even more than the 1959 Act did.

“The two rights that have been most violated are Articles 22 and 23 – the freedom to assembly, and the right to the freedom of expression. If a country does not have those two rights it cannot call itself a democracy, because those two rights are fundamental and are cornerstones of a democracy. Without those two rights we have no democracy. It is surprising that our country is referred to as a democracy and yet we have the Public Order Act 2013. The Constitution says you cannot amend chapter 3 without a referendum and this Act sought to amend chapter 3 through the backdoor. That is why this judgment is historic and I hope the legislature and executive take note of this judgment and when they bring in the new Act they will implement the observations that the court has made.”

Learned Counsel Anthony Derjacques had this to say: “It’s a great day for Constitutional and fundamental human rights in Seychelles. I felt deeply that Articles 22 and 23 – freedom to assembly, and the right to the freedom of expression – were being infringed by the Public Order Act and the judges have acted in a very authoritative and wise manner in striking down those sections of the Act.
Now we have to relook at the whole area and I believe this time the executive and the legislature have to consult with all parties and come up with a modern democratic Act to replace the Public Order Act.”

For Attorney General Rony Govinden, he said “today is a historic day and a great day for our democracy. It shows the system is working. It shows there is a separation of powers and the court independently considers laws of the executive and eventually if it feels there are some provisions in them that are not constitutional it will rule on these matters and give orders. The courts are there to rule on the constitutionality of any laws that the government passes”.

Mr Govinden added that “it’s the first time and it won’t be the last time because the court obviously looks at the development aspects of laws, how the jurisdiction has changed and interprets and imposes it in our democracy. It then gives a ruling if it finds it partly unconstitutional”.
So what is the next step?

Attorney Govinden explained that it will take some time to scrutinise the judgment and see what are its options.

“There are two alternatives: either we appeal the decision through the Court of Appeal which is the highest court, or we go to the National Assembly with a revised Public Order Act. But both will take time. In the meantime, there are other legal provisions in the penal code and other laws, Police Force Act, which I am sure the law enforcement authorities will be able to use for crowd management in public places,” said Mr Govinden, who added the country needs a Public Order Act to manage and relegate public gathering.

He went on to say that in some other jurisdictions laws have to go to the Constitutional court first before they become law, what is called à priori vetting. But in our system this is not the case as the law goes into the statute book first and then to the Constitutional court.

A draft of the Public Order Act was sent to the National Assembly for consideration on November 28, 2013, approved by the National Assembly on December 6, 2013 and assented to by the President of Seychelles on December 31, 2013. The Act consists of 39 sections of law. The main operative sections of the Act seek to grant the Commissioner of Police and the Police Force with certain powers to control public gatherings, public meetings and public processions in order to maintain law and order across the Republic of Seychelles during non-emergency and non-war times.

Seychelles Nation 8/7/2015