CIS MPs to discuss security, human rights, preps for VE-Day.

ST PETERSBURG, April 6 (Itar-Tass) - The traditional spring-time
meetings of the Interparliamentary Assembly (IPA) of the Commonwealth of
Independent States (CIS) open in the Tauride Palace here on Tuesday.
A session of the IPA Council and two international conferences are
to be held within the framework of the meetings with the participation of
parliamentarians from Europe and CIS countries.
The IPA Council is to specify the plan for lawmaking work for 2010 and
is also expected to make a decision on the setting up of two working
groups for the elaboration of model laws on the freedom of conscience,
faith, and religious organizations, and on the prohibition of propaganda
of the ideology of fascisms and Nazi symbols.
The IPA Council members are also planning to adopt an Appeal to the
Parliamentarians and Governments of CIS countries in connection with the
150th anniversary of the birth of Russian writer Anton P. Chekhov, sum up
the results of the monitoring of elections in Ukraine and Tajikistan, and
review preparations for the holding of a Neva ecological congress and an
international parliamentary conference dedicated to Kazakhstan's
presidency in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Mikhail Krotov, Secretary-General of the IPA Council has said a
Declaration is to be adopted on the strength of the conference results. It
will be referred to international organizations, including the United
Nations.
Within the framework of the IPA activities, a conference on the theme
of "The Future of European Security" will be held as well. It has been
organized in conjunction with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe. Krotov said that, along with the delegates of the parliaments of
CIS countries, "about 80 parliamentarians of Western countries" would also
arrive here to participate in these activities.