Cabinet Decisions taken on 12 November

1. In line with the commitments taken by Mauritius at international fora, including the United Nations General Assembly and the International Criminal Court Review Conference reiterating its unflinching commitment to combat impunity for serious human rights violations, Cabinet has agreed to the introduction into the National Assembly of the International Criminal Court Bill, which -

(a) provides for the effective implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in the laws of Mauritius;

(b) ensures the fulfillment of the obligations of Mauritius under the Statute;

(c) provides for the jurisdiction of our Courts to try persons charged with international crimes; and

(d) prescribes the procedure for the surrender of persons to the International Criminal Court and for other forms of cooperation with that body.

2. Cabinet has taken note of the activities that would be organised by the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life to mark the World Diabetes Day observed on 14 November, viz., -

(a) organisation of sensitization campaigns, workshops and seminars on diabetes;

(b) organisation of a march by the Diabetes Parent Support Group; and

(c) demonstration on physical activity and healthy cooking.

3. Cabinet has taken note that, given that cancer has become the third major health threat in Mauritius after diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life would implement the National Cancer Control Programme and Action Plan (2010-2014) to, amongst others, prevent cancer through public education, encourage and promote early diagnosis and referral, provide effective therapy and develop an effective palliative care service. As a priority, the Ministry would strengthen the Cancer Registry, carry out a national systematic cervical screening programme and set up a digital mammography screening service.

4. Cabinet has taken note of the status in the sale of State lands on which stand ex-CHA housing units to its owners. Cabinet has further taken note that a nominal rent of Rs10 per annum instead of the current rental payable would be claimed in respect of the leased lands on which stand ex-CHA housing units and in respect of which Government does not hold any title deed yet.

5. Cabinet has taken note that the Minister of Information and Communication Technology would proclaim Parts and sections of the Electronic Transactions Act 2000, which have not yet been proclaimed, to come into operation on 1 December 2010 and promulgate the Electronic Transactions (Certification Authorities) Regulations to provide for the setting up of a licensing scheme and criteria for Certification Authorities and the laying down of the administrative framework for licensing by the Controller of Certification Authorities.

6. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of discussions held with Maldives on the delimitation of our respective economic zones and on the submission made by Maldives to the UN Commission for the Limits of the Continental Shelf beyond 200 miles, which encroaches on the published EEZ of Mauritius, North of the Chagos Archipelago. The Government of Maldives has acknowledged that, in its submission, consideration has not been given to the EEZ coordinates of Mauritius in the Chagos Archipelago region and has agreed to rectify its submission and make a joint submission with regard to the area of overlap of the Extended Continental Shelf in the Northern part of the Chagos Archipelago.

7. Cabinet has taken note of the Report on a Study of the Extent, Nature and Costs of Domestic Violence to the Mauritian Economy. The highlights of the Report are -

(a) Domestic violence in the form of emotional abuse is more widespread than physical and sexual abuse.

(b) Victims of various forms of abuse tend to be over-representative of the lower educational achievement category, lower income group, as well as lower occupational status.

(c) The major causes of domestic violence are substance abuse, extra-marital affairs, financial problems, interference of in-laws, lack of conflict management skills and positive communication amongst the different actors involved.

 

(d) The monetary value of the burden of domestic violence, in the form of physical, sexual or emotional abuse, on the economy is estimated at Rs1.4 billion for the period 2008-2009.

8. Cabinet has taken note that the Tertiary Education Commission would hold an International Conference on the theme Internationalisation of Tertiary Education from 23 to 25 March 2011, in Mauritius. The aim of the Conference is to –

9. Cabinet has taken note that the Fifth Southern Africa Telecommunications Association Human Capital Development Workshop would be held in Mauritius from 17 to 19 November 2010. The Workshop will provide a platform to delegates to share knowledge and experience in managing and developing human capital to face the challenges in the ICT Sector. Some 30 participants, comprising members of the Southern Africa Telecommunication Association, Executives and Senior Managers from Regulators, Telecom Operators and the telecom industry are expected to participate in the Workshop.

10. Cabinet has taken note of the status in the operations of the Dr D.Y. Patil Medical College, based in Mauritius, which is registered to offer post-graduate programmes in, amongst others, Master of Surgery in General Medicine, Doctor in Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Dermatology, Anaesthesiology and Pediatrics. The University of Technology, Mauritius would be the awarding body for its programmes.

11. Cabinet has taken note that the Minister of Business, Enterprise, Cooperatives and Consumer Protection proposes to promulgate the Consumer Protection (Control of Sale of Imported Live Animals for Home Slaughter) Regulations 2010 to regulate the sale of imported live animals used for home slaughtering.

12. Cabinet has taken note that the Ministry of Civil Service and Administrative Reforms would publish a revised Code of Ethics for Public Officers, setting out standards of conduct expected of public officers for a responsible, responsive and ethical civil service and incorporating concepts of Maurice Ile Durable project.

13. Cabinet has taken note that, with a view to protecting the health and safety of children, the Minister of Business, Enterprise, Cooperatives and Consumer Protection proposes to amend the Consumer Protection Act, and promulgate the Toys (Safety) Regulations to provide for more severe penalties for the infringement of the law and enhance market surveillance.

14. Cabinet has taken note that Mauritius has been admitted to the Hague Conference on Private International Law. The objective of the Conference is to harmonize the rules of private international law with a view to enabling individuals and juridical persons around the world to enjoy a high degree of legal security despite differences in the legal systems. As member of the Hague Conference on Private International Law, Mauritius would be able to influence the development of new private international law and ensure that our needs and interests are taken into account. Moreover, Mauritius would be able to benefit from the training and technical assistance provided by the International Centre for Judicial Studies.

15. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent mission of the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Energy and Public Utilities to New Delhi, India where he participated in the International Renewable Energy Conference which had as theme: Upscaling and Mainstreaming Renewables for Energy Security, Climate Change and Economic Development. The main objective of the Conference was to provide an opportunity to Ministers, high-level decision makers, opinion leaders, private sector players and civil society to discuss on how to accelerate the development of renewable energy taking into consideration technology and infrastructure development, finance and the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.

In the margins of the Conference, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Energy and Public Utilities paid courtesy calls on HE Shri Mohamed Hamid Ansari, Vice-President of the Republic of India, HE Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of the Republic of India and had bilateral meetings, amongst others, with -

16. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent visit of the Minister of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare to Rodrigues where she, amongst others, -

(a) had a working session with the Commissioner of Social Security, Women`s Affairs, Child Development and Family Welfare on issues related to gender equality and promotion of family welfare;

(b) launched the National Awareness Campaign on Gender Equality and Gender-based Violence and the Special Collaborative Programme for Support to Women and Children in Distress; and

(c) had meetings with women entrepreneurs to take stock of difficulties and challenges facing them to run their enterprises, and with NGOs working with children to share information on policies and programmes in place for children.

17. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent mission of the Minister of Industry and Commerce to India where he participated in the Petrotech 2010 Conference on Global Energy Equilibrium, which agreed to intensive research being carried out on non-conventional forms of energy and committed to protect the environment. In the margins of the Conference, the Minister had discussions with, inter alia, the Hon Murli Deora, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Hon Anand Sharma, Minister of Commerce and Industry, and the Hon Sharad Pawar, Minister of Agriculture on bilateral issues and procurement of Indian products.

18. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent mission of the Minister of Fisheries and Rodrigues to Mozambique where he pursued discussions on the identification of potential extra-territorial activities, and investments that would boost the contribution of the fisheries sector to the economic development of Mauritius and Mozambique and meet the demand of seafood in both countries. Agreement was reached on the sharing of know-how and information on fisheries management, fish farming and artisanal fishing.

19. Cabinet has taken note that a High Level Task Force has been set up under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Public Infrastructure, National Development Unit, Land Transport and Shipping to look into the organization of Cavadee and Maha Shivaratree festivals in 2011.

20. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the First Conference of the States Parties to the African Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Treaty, commonly known as the Pelindaba Treaty, held on 4 November 2010 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Pelindaba Treaty aims at ensuring that nuclear weapons are not developed, produced, tested or otherwise acquired or stationed in any African state.

21. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of the Residential Care Homes Board with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Security, National Solidarity and Reform Institutions as Chairperson.

Previous Cabinet Decisions