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| An unprecedented gathering of MPs to tackle threats to global peace, security and human rights at IPU´s 131st Assembly in Geneva. ©IPU |
MPs from across the world will decide on action they can take to help tackle growing threats to global peace, security and human rights, including violence against women, as well as elect a new president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) during the Organization’s upcoming 131st Assembly in Geneva.
An unprecedented 744 MPs from 141 countries, including 104 Speakers and Deputy Speakers of Parliament attending the IPU Assembly from 12-16 October may adopt an emergency resolution on a pressing global issue. Current proposals include fighting terrorism and extremism, protecting the rights of the Palestinian people, addressing sovereign debt crises and combating human trafficking.
IPU Members will also commit to a call for action in a resolution on international sovereignty, non-intervention on internal affairs of States, and human rights.
With one woman in three a victim of gender violence at some point in her life and a too-frequent mismatch between legislation on gender violence and its effective implementation, the main focus of the Assembly will be on how MPs can address violence against women and girls. This includes the brutal sexual targeting of women in conflict situations, most recently exemplified by the actions of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants in both Iraq and Syria. Finding ways to successfully end all types of violence against women and girls would go a long way to ensuring peace, security and human rights in the world.
In an effort to inspire greater political action on one of the most pervasive crimes in the world, the 131st IPU Assembly will host the 2014 World Future Policy Award. This year, the World Future Council, IPU and UN Women will reward some of the most effective policy responses to violence against women.
Although finding ways parliaments can help address the plethora of challenges to global peace, security and human rights will dominate much of the Assembly agenda, the election of a new IPU president will be critical to defining IPU’s work on such issues in the coming years.
Indonesian MP Nurhayati Ali Assegaf, Speaker of the Australian Parliament Bronwyn Bishop, Bangladesh MP Saber Chowdhury and former Speaker of the Maldives Parliament Abdulla Shahid have so far declared their candidature for the post.
The election, on the concluding day of the Assembly, will cement a new leadership structure following the election of IPU Secretary General Martin Chungong in March this year.
The new president will take over from former Moroccan Speaker of Parliament Abdelwahad Radi, who ends a three-year mandate. In this time, IPU had to address many major crises and conflicts, in particular in Africa and the Middle East.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which generated much global concern this summer, and what parliaments can do to promote dialogue and secure peace between the two sides, will be the focus of a roundtable convened by IPU’s Committee on Middle East Questions during the Assembly.
With 218 women MPs expected in Geneva, the 131st Assembly will also continue its nearly 30-year tradition to bring together women parliamentarians to address issues of concern to them. During this Assembly, they will identify what they can do to ensure they have a greater influence in political decision-making.
IPU’s Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians will similarly meet on addressing cases involving the human rights abuses of MPs. Hearings with government and parliamentary officials from 10 countries will be held in a bid to make progress on more intractable cases.
Find out about the many other issues and events of the 131st Assembly including cyber warfare, water governance, coherent policies on drugs, sustainable development and climate change. Access the agenda and background documents at: http://www.ipu.org/Conf-e/131agnd.htm
Take part in or follow the Assembly debates through Twitter using #IPU131.
Picture editors: Photos from the Assembly will be available for free download and use at: http://www.ipu.org/131pics
Broadcasters: interviews will be available on ISDN number +4122 791 93 48.
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