Wednesday, November 13th 2019
Lessig: Progress on Qumari constitution is "coming along nicely"
Jabal Nafusah — Former Secretary of Education Lawrence Lessig, serving as the facilitator for drafting of a new Qumari constitution, was positive in his first media appearance since the country's parliament began working to craft a new constitution. Speaking via satellite on Al Jazeera, Lessig said that the members of Qumar's parliament had "made positive progress" and that several key planks of a future constitution look like they will be included in a proposed constitution due in April 2020.
"In terms of progress, things are coming along nicely," Lessig said. "There appears to be fewer sticking points than I had anticipated on several key issues, which is, I think, a good sign for meeting the deadline of April 22nd." As few of the subcommittees have finalized their recommendations to the convention as a whole, Lessig revealed the only major change that so far has been recommended is to include a right to education for all Qumari citizens. The country has long been criticized internationally for the tremendous gap in the educational opportunities provided to boys and girls, with the female literacy rate lagging far behind rates for males, especially in rural provinces. The government of prime minister Zuben Ahmed has sought international aid in rebuilding and expanding the country's school system now that Jabal Nafusah has resumed control over all of Qumar.
The former Secretary of Education under President Matthew Santos is a renowned expert on national constitutions and has had a part in crafting many of the constitutions that have been written since the end of the Cold War. He is assisted in his role as facilitator by Qumari civil servants as well as officials with the Department of State, European Union and United Nations who serve as technical advisers.