In the aftermath of conflicts: the need for parliamentary support

Among those who welcome parliamentary support on the multilateral scene is Mr. Luis Moreno Ocampo, Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, who has appealed for support for the Rome Statute. At a panel discussion held at the recent IPU Assembly in Geneva, the Chief Prosecutor said “the Rome Statute has a powerful preventive force; it has induced legislators from all over the world to debate the place of national issues in international conventions, on subjects such as crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide”.

The attention of parliamentarians has also been drawn to the democratic control of armed forces, especially since the launch in Santiago de Chile of a handbook on Parliamentary Oversight of the Security Sector. The subject was taken up in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where a group of MPs met for a seminar in Sarajevo in September. The presentations focused on the action of security forces in special circumstances such as states of emergency. Participants discussed the oversight of human, material and financial resources, achievements and obstacles, and the question of the reform of the defence sector. It is interesting to note that the Seminar brought together parliamentarians from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska – the two entities of the country – and the national parliament. Government security experts and high ranking army officers also participated. A similar seminar was held in Skopje (former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) in October to promote the Macedonian version of the handbook, jointly published by IPU and DCAF (Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces).

Whether it is to try and prevent the outbreak of conflict or promote reconciliation in its aftermath, the legislators have proved that by committing themselves to the process, they can help to restart the difficult dialogue between communities divided by hatred. One of the topics on the agenda of the 110th Assembly, to be held in Mexico from 18 to 23 April 2004, will be international reconciliation and assistance for post-conflict reconstruction.

L.B.