PAP urges AU states to align policing laws to PAP Model Police Law
By Daniel Chigundu
Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Chairperson of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights, Honourable Jean Marie Nibirantije has called on African countries to consider aligning their policing laws with the PAP Model Police Law.
The Model Police Law for Africa was adopted at the PAP’s Plenary Session in October 2019 and is premised on the vision for policing in Africa that is based on the notion that all citizens on the continent should enjoy policing services that command respect and ensure that everyone feels safe and secure.
Some countries in Africa are in the process of reviewing their policing laws so as to move with the times, and sophisticated crimes in the 21st century.
Zimbabwe is among those countries that are currently in the process of updating the policing laws, with the Police Amendment Bill HB 2,2021 which was before Parliament.
The Bill seeks among other things to amend various provisions of the Police Act [Chapter 11:10] so that it complies with the Constitution.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has hugely come under criticism in the past years accused of being unprofessional and partisan in its conduct.
Speaking during the plenary of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) Nibirantije said the Model Law provides a framework that reflects international standards of policing.
“The Model Law on policing provides a strong legislative framework that reflects international standards for a rights-based approach to policing.
‘’The legislation establishes clear principles for the mandate and structure of law enforcement agencies, and we are attempting to let Africa build itself in its own peculiar way.
‘’Therefore, our committee is seeking synergies within the PAP to promote and disseminate information on this law,” he said. The Model Law on policing speaks to the developmental framework in the effective promotion and protection of human and people’s rights, and if not adopted Africa might fail to achieve the noble objectives of Agenda 2063.-
PAP urges AU states to align policing laws to PAP Model Police Law
