Parliament body to stay independent

Geneva - July 22, 2010 (WAM)- The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) approved the UAE's proposal to amend article No 33 of the final communiqué of the third World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, which concluded Wednesday.
The article provides for concluding an international agreement with the United Nations (UN) on IPU activities and functions.
The UAE's bid was presented by Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC) during the global summit, which was opened by IPU President Dr Theo-Ben Gurirab at the UN Office on July 19 and continued until Wednesday.
Held under the theme "Parliaments in a world of crisis: securing global democratic accountability for the common good", the conference discussed democracy, the role of legislative institutions and their relationship with the UN.
The UAE delegation, headed by Al Ghurair managed to rally support, and finally got approval, for its offer that rejects converting the IPU into a UN organisation and calls for establishing an international independent parliamentary body representing people worldwide.
Supported by Arab and European parliaments, the UAE's proposal for amending the article was made due to unclear political goals stated in the article, which may allow the IPU to be converted into a UN government organisation that lacks independence, democratic accountability and transparency.
The UAE was seeking to empower the IPU to maintain its independence and role as a pool for MPs of the world and a voice for peoples.
In its 34 item communiqué, the IPU stressed its commitment to democratic accountability, that holds any international party irrespective of its weight or value, accountable if its flouts the principles of international law.
The communiqué stressed the commitment of parliament members to fighting terrorism, piracy, all forms of discrimination, human trafficking and other abusive practices against human rights. – Emirates News Agency, WAM