JMP holds symposium on reform [Archives:2006/954/Local News]
HODEIDAH, June 8 ) Under the theme a “Comprehensive Awareness of JMP's [Joint Meeting Parties] Program for Comprehensive National and Political Reform,” the executive committee for the JMP front held its first political symposium. Syndicates, civil society organizations, representatives from branch offices, and interested non-party members attended the activity.
Adnan Hajar of the Yemeni Socialist Party (YSP) presented a paper titled “Constitutional and Legal Reforms” that stressed the importance of peaceful and democratic action in order to achieve inclusive reforms of Yemen's governmental system. Furthermore, he said that Yemenis deserve a real parliamentary system as opposed to the nominal one that currently exists.
Hajar added that the legal system needs to be reformed by making it financially, administratively, and juridically independent from other branches of government. Likewise, the electoral system and the division of power among local authorities also need to be changed. According to Hajar, government offices should maintain their impartiality and should not be corrupted to work in the interest of only one political party. Finally, Hajar demanded that the government rectify the country's water and electricity problems.
Dr. Taher Al-Mamari, a member of the Nasserite Unionist Party, spoke about rights and liberties that the Yemeni state should guarantee regardless of citizenship, political affiliation, or other attributes. Other rights that should be guaranteed include the right to form associations, the freedom of speech, and to demonstrate. Al-Mamari called for the abolition of illegal prisons and a new law on demonstrations.
Hasan Saghir, General Secretary Executive of the Islah (Reform) Party, noted the guarantees necessary for the holding of free and fair elections. Further, Saghir said that the electoral administration must be reformed. He emphasized that the media should maintain objectivity and neutrality when reporting on events.
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