Windhoek — THE death penalty, which was abolished at Independence, appears to have crept back on to the national agenda.

Minister of Justice and Attorney General Pendukeni Ivula-Ithana says she would welcome an open debate on the death sentence.

She made the remark when addressing traditional leaders who are meeting in Windhoek this week.

"As a democrat myself, I welcome all debates, including the debate on the death sentence, as it offers an opportunity to gauge contemporary thinking," the Minister told the Chiefs.

Although the Namibian Government abolished the death sentence at Independence in 1990, there have been calls from a number of sections of society for it to be reintroduced in the face of rising crime.

"I join all who feel violated by the wave of crime prevalent in our society and support all efforts aimed at eliminating criminal opportunities and enhancing crime-fighting capacity," Ithana told the gathering.

At the start of her speech, the Minister said: "As the Minister of Justice and at the same time the Attorney General of our Republic, I am duty bound to protect the Constitution.

The Constitution is the Supreme Law of the land, under which all other laws should fall."

The abolition of the death penalty is part of the fundamental human rights and freedoms enshrined in Chapter Three of the Namibian Constitution, which may not be amended.

Article 6 of that Chapter clearly states: "The right to life shall be respected and protected.

No law may prescribe death as a competent sentence.

No Court or Tribunal shall have the power to impose a sentence of death upon any person.

No executions shall take place in Namibia."