By The Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) Bill sailed through Parliament yesterday, facing only tepid opposition and leaving concerns about its legitimacy and purpose unaddressed. Despite calls for broader collaboration and public engagement, the government flexed its majority muscle, passing the bill by a 41-vote margin after a brief debate and committee-stage amendments.
While the government boasts legal power due to its parliamentary muscle, past missteps and eroded trust cast a long shadow over its actions. Critics point to economic mismanagement and leadership scandals as reasons to question the moral authority behind this latest push for reconciliation. This disconnect between formal power and actual public trust is a core concern surrounding the new legislation.
The ONUR Bill joins a string of laws raising eyebrows, including the Anti-Terrorism and Online Safety bills, both seen as tightening state control and restricting freedoms. Similarly, the Truth, Unity, and Reconciliation Commission’s (TURC) law’s rushed passage without proper consultation raised red flags about its true intentions and effectiveness.
Specific worries about the ONUR Bill center around the lack of multi-partisanship in appointments, the chairperson’s unlimited term, and the potential for government overreach in guiding civil society organizations. These concerns highlight the need for genuinely inclusive initiatives, not top-down decrees.
Moving forward, recommendations urge the government to engage with opposition parties and civil society, prioritize multi-partisan consensus, and ensure independent, diverse leadership within reconciliation bodies. Only by respecting and leveraging the voices of all stakeholders can true national healing and unity be achieved.
