Theme: Human Rights

© UN Women/Amanda Voisard

First UN General Assembly resolution on role of parliaments in implementing the SDGs

In a historic first, the UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution highlighting the critical role of parliaments in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The resolution demonstrates a United Nations growing more open to cooperation with parliaments to advance the international agenda. The resolution entitled Enhancing the role of parliaments in accelerating the implementation […]

The IPU has released its annual global snapshot of the situation of threatened parliamentarians. A record number of 739 parliamentarians from 44 countries all over the world suffered violations of their fundamental rights this year.

IPU snapshot shows MPs in danger all over the world – but some good news too

On the eve of Human Rights Day, the IPU has released its annual global snapshot of the situation of threatened parliamentarians. A record number of 739 parliamentarians from 44 countries all over the world suffered violations of their fundamental rights this year. The 2022 figures represent an increase of nearly 10% compared to 2021 (673 MPs in 44 countries). They confirm a […]

Ukraine MPs give high priority to maintaining strong UK support for their country in the face of Russia's illegal war

Exchanges with Ukraine counterparts prove vital to keep MP/Peers updated on Russia’s illegal war

From 28 November to 1 December 2022, BGIPU hosted a delegation of five parliamentarians from Ukraine. The visit was the third in a series of visits this year (the others being in June and July), reflecting BGIPU’s commitment to work with Verkhovna Rada members and make sure they have regular contact with their UK counterparts. […]

Rally in Paris, France © SERGE TENANI / HANS LUCAS / HANS LUCAS VIA AFP

Violence against women parliamentarians: Causes, effects, solutions

Women account for just over 26% of parliamentarians worldwide according to the IPU’s latest figures. Despite progress made in recent years, significant obstacles continue to block their path to parity with their male counterparts. One of the biggest obstacles is sexism, harassment and gender-based violence. IPU reports show that sexist abuse persists across all parliaments in all […]

Children's rights remain vital to ensuring universal human rights are respected and protected globally.

IPU and UN mobilize parliaments to support children’s rights

In the lead-up to 20 November, World Children’s Day, the IPU and the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) have released a joint statement on the role of parliaments in the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols. The joint statement underscores the role that […]

The UK delegation leader Harriett Baldwin MP with Ukraine counterparts, Alona Skrum, Lesia Vasylenko and Olga Rudenko.

IPU Member Parliaments at IPU145 in Kigali commit to accelerating gender equality

Parliamentarians from around the world have adopted the Kigali Declaration Gender equality and gender-sensitive parliaments as drivers of change for a more resilient and peaceful world at the end of the 145th IPU Assembly in Kigali, Rwanda.   The Declaration represents a milestone in progress towards gender equality and gender-sensitive parliaments. It encourages IPU Members to step up their efforts to […]

Puan Maharani, Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives

Parliamentary leaders call on G20 to actively engage with parliaments

The Parliament of Indonesia, in cooperation with the IPU, brought together parliamentary leaders from the world’s 20 major economies at the Parliamentary Forum and the Eighth G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit, the ‘P20’, which took place from 5-7 October in Jakarta, Indonesia. In their deliberations, the Speakers of Parliament underlined that strong parliaments are key to strong […]

Building on the success of past P20 meetings, the IPU and the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia will jointly host the Eighth G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit.

Parliamentary Leaders including UK Speaker to meet in Indonesia for P20

Every year, the G20 strengthens its work by engaging with various stakeholder groups who draft recommendations to G20 governments and contribute to the policymaking process. As the representatives of the people and of all interests in society, the parliaments of every G20 member need to be actively engaged in this influential gathering of global leaders. […]