1 Communication on Structure & Functions of Meshrano Jerga (Afghan Upper House): (A brief introduction) In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful By: Mohammad Kazim Malwan Secretary General of Meshrano Jerga (Afghan Upper House)

2  The National Assembly of Afghanistan is Composed of two Houses: Meshrano Jerga (Upper House) Meshrano Jerga (Upper House) Wolosi Jerga (House of the People) (Article 82 of the Constitution ) Wolosi Jerga (House of the People) (Article 82 of the Constitution )  The NA of IRA holds two regular sessions annually. The term of both regular sessions is nine months. (Art. 107, constitution )

3 Meshrano Jerga (Upper House)has 102 members. Meshrano Jerga (Upper House)has 102 members. 28 (27.45%) are women. 28 (27.45%) are women. Members of MJ are elected and appointed as follows: Members of MJ are elected and appointed as follows: One third (34 members) are elected by provincial Councils for four years. One third (34 members) are elected by provincial Councils for four years. One third (34 members) are elected from District Councils for 3 years. One third (34 members) are elected from District Councils for 3 years. Remaining one third (34 members) are appointed by the President of the Country from amongst experts, knowledgeable and experienced personalities including two impaired/handicapped and two from nomads. Remaining one third (34 members) are appointed by the President of the Country from amongst experts, knowledgeable and experienced personalities including two impaired/handicapped and two from nomads. Fifty percent of the appointees are women. Fifty percent of the appointees are women.

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6 Leading bodies of MJ A) Administration Board: The Admin Board of MJ is comprised of 5 members: The Admin Board of MJ is comprised of 5 members: The president (Speaker) of MJ, elected by members for 5 years The president (Speaker) of MJ, elected by members for 5 years First Deputy Speaker elected for one year First Deputy Speaker elected for one year Second Deputy Speaker elected for one year Second Deputy Speaker elected for one year Secretary, elected for one year Secretary, elected for one year Deputy secretary elected for one year Deputy secretary elected for one year

7 B) Committee of the Chairs: 19 members: comprised of Admin Board members (5), chair persons of Commissions (12) and leaders of Parliamentary Groups (2) The Committee meets once in a Week Main duties of the Committee: Preparing/ deciding on agenda of plenary sessions and commissions meetings for short, medium and long terms A meeting of the committee of chairs

8 C) Standing Commissions of MJ: In MJ there are 12 Commissions Each commission has 7 to 11 members. Chairman, deputy and secretary of each commission are elected for a term of one year Each Commission holds its meetings three days in a week. A meeting of gender and women commission Meeting of transport & communication commission

D) Parliamentary Groups D) Parliamentary Groups Two Parliamentary Groups: “ Reform & Justice ” PG ( 34 members ) “ Reform & Justice ” PG ( 34 members ) “ Law Protection & National Unity ” PG ( 58 members ) “ Law Protection & National Unity ” PG ( 58 members ) 9

10 Meetings of Meshrano Jerga A) Plenary sessions: Based on Rules of Procedure, MJ holds two plenary sessions in a Week. From Dec 2005 to Dec 2010 (15 th term of Afghan NA) MJ has held (388) plenary sessions. From February 2011 to March 2012 (part of term 16 th ) 96 plenary sessions have been organized. A plenary session of MJ

11 B) Commissions Meetings  In accordance to the Rules of procedure each Commission of MJ organizes 3 meetings in a week.  From Dec 2005 to Dec 2010 (15 th term of NA), all commissions of MJ have held more than (4,900) meetings  From Feb 2011 to March 2012 ( part of 16 th term of NA) MJ Commissions held (1060) meetings

Meshrano Jerga (Afghan Upper House) like any other chamber of a parliament conducts the following 3 main duties: Meshrano Jerga (Afghan Upper House) like any other chamber of a parliament conducts the following 3 main duties:  Legislation 1)The Upper House of IRA through its commissions’ meetings and plenary sessions, during 5 years of Afghan NA’s 15 th term (2005 to 2010) approved/certified 115 laws and agreements. 1)The Upper House of IRA through its commissions’ meetings and plenary sessions, during 5 years of Afghan NA’s 15 th term (2005 to 2010) approved/certified 115 laws and agreements. 2)From Feb to March 2012, (27) laws and agreements have been approved/certified by Meshrano Jerga. 2)From Feb to March 2012, (27) laws and agreements have been approved/certified by Meshrano Jerga. Main Functions of MJ

13  Oversight of the government Oversight of executive branch and its activities is the second important duty of MJ. Questioning of government bodies in MJ committees and in some cases in plenary sessions is a vital tool for making government accountable. During 5 years of 15 th and more than one year of 16 th term of Afghan NA, the Afghan Upper House has questioned different high ranking officials for more than ( 2646 ) times. Oversight of executive branch and its activities is the second important duty of MJ. Questioning of government bodies in MJ committees and in some cases in plenary sessions is a vital tool for making government accountable. During 5 years of 15 th and more than one year of 16 th term of Afghan NA, the Afghan Upper House has questioned different high ranking officials for more than ( 2646 ) times.

14  Representation MJ raises the voice of the public and highlights the needs and expectation of the people in national and local levels at plenary and commission meetings ( particularly in open debate of plenary sessions) MJ raises the voice of the public and highlights the needs and expectation of the people in national and local levels at plenary and commission meetings ( particularly in open debate of plenary sessions) MJ considers complaint and petitions of real and legal persons (individually or by a group of people) in commissions and takes needed decisions MJ considers complaint and petitions of real and legal persons (individually or by a group of people) in commissions and takes needed decisions Since 2005 to date the MJ commissions have received a total of 4,400 group/individual petitions and complaints. Majority of the complaints have been solved as a result of cooperation/ coordination between related commissions and relevant government departments. Since 2005 to date the MJ commissions have received a total of 4,400 group/individual petitions and complaints. Majority of the complaints have been solved as a result of cooperation/ coordination between related commissions and relevant government departments.

The End Thank you for your attention 15