The IPU has recorded another all-time high number of parliamentarians suffering from alleged human rights violations according to its annual figures released on the eve of Human Rights Day. The data reveal that at least 673 parliamentarians from 44 countries are under threat, most of them in countries experiencing political instability. The 2021 numbers confirm a consistent increase since 2014 […]
A new study by the IPU and the African Parliamentary Union (APU) launched on 23 November 2021 shows that sexism, harassment and violence against women are ubiquitous in parliaments across Africa. This is the second in a series of IPU regional studies, following a 2018 report on European parliaments. The African study reveals: . 80 per cent of […]
On 20 October, BGIPU convened a roundtable in collaboration with WFP on the climate-induced famine in Madagascar. On the panel were four very knowledgeable speakers: Mr David Ashley, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Madagascar; Ms Elisabeth Faure, WFP UK Director; Ms Pasqualina Disirio, WFP Head of Country Delegation; and Mr Arduino Mangoni, WFP’s Head of Programmes […]
On 20 September 2021, BGIPU hosted a virtual bilateral meeting with Members of the National Assembly in Madagascar. The meeting was chaired by Tim Loughton MP, who had previously led a BGIPU delegation out to Madagascar in 2017. He was joined by Alex Sobel MP, Baroness Sheehan, Baroness Walmsley, Lord Thomas and Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Madagascar, David Ashley. […]
On 27 April, BGIPU hosted a briefing with Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Liberia, His Excellency Neil Bradley. The meeting was chaired by Ms Harriett Baldwin MP, Chair of BGIPU and former Minister for Africa. It was attended by a range of MPs and Peers all with a keen interest in the West African country. The […]
On 4th March, BGIPU co-hosted a briefing with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and other humanitarian players on the Humanitarian Situation in Tigray. Four months into the crisis, the worst violence may be over, but there is a tangible risk that without political stability Tigray could turn into another protracted humanitarian crisis. The meeting was chaired […]
The IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians has renewed its calls to national authorities to bring to account those involved in the past abuse of members of parliament, including murder. Although some of the cases are more than 10 years old, the Committee has not set them aside until investigations have established the […]
On 28 January, BGIPU co-hosted a briefing with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Nigeria. The meeting was chaired by Ms Kate Osamor MP, BGIPU Exco Member and Chair of the Nigeria APPG and was attended by a range of MPs and Peers, all with a keen interest in the country. Mr […]
On 10 December, BGIPU hosted a African Ambassador Roundtable which was moderated by BGIPU Chair, Harriett Baldwin. The roundtable was an opportunity for Ambassadors to brief MPs and Peers of the situation in their country and an opportunity for the Members to ask questions. The briefings were given by HE Teferi Melesse Desta, Ambassador of […]
On 29 September BGIPU hosted a virtual parliamentary briefing with British Ambassadors to Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Djbouti, The Gambia and Mali. The event was chaired by BGIPU Chair and former FCO/DFID Minister for Africa, Harriett Baldwin MP and was attended by MPs and Peers from the BGIPU Executive Committee and a range of Select Committees […]
