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Theme: Human Rights

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IPU applauds Human Rights Council boost for cooperation with parliaments

On 23 June, the UN Human Rights Council adopted without a vote a resolution in support of stronger cooperation with parliaments.  The resolution encourages States to involve parliaments in all stages of the Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR), under which the Council examines the human rights situation of each UN Member State.  Welcoming this, the IPU said it looks forward to working ever more closely with UN human rights bodies in support of stronger ties between the Council and parliaments.

Global IssuesHuman RightsIPU Activities & Conferences
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IPU mobilizes parliaments in support of global health agenda

As part of its work on health and development, the IPU participated in the World Health Assembly (WHA) with the IPU Secretary General addressing the WHA plenary debate on 24 May on the contribution of MPs to the global health agenda and their key role in achieving the health-related SDGs.  Additionally, on 29 May, the IPU organized a parliamentary side event at the WHA, “Bridging the Gap between Evidence and Policy: The Role of Parliamentarians in Advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. 

Global IssuesHuman RightsIPU Activities & Conferences
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World’s MPs to tackle rising economic, political and social inequalities

Taking decisive actions to end economic, political and social inequality will be the focus of deliberations for the more than 650 MPs from 132 countries meeting in Dhaka, Bangladesh from 1-5 April 2017.  Parliamentarians, including 53 Speakers of Parliament, will make concrete proposals on a range of issues, from ending rising inequality to promoting women’s access to financing, during the 136th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) (#IPU136) hosted by the Bangladesh Parliament.

Asia-PacificHuman RightsIPU Activities & Conferences
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World MPs in drive to end extreme inequalities

Expressing grave concern with the extreme political, social and economic inequalities prevalent in the world, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has called for immediate action to reverse this trend and leave no one behind. In a declaration issued at the close of the 136th IPU Assembly in Dhaka, Bangladesh, IPU Members highlighted that “extreme inequalities” come at a high cost to society, stalling economic growth, undermining the democratic process and social cohesion and increasing the risk of violence and insecurity.

Asia-PacificHuman RightsIPU Activities & Conferences
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Outcome of IPU Parliamentary Hearing at UN on SDG Goal 14

The 2017 Annual Parliamentary Hearing at the United Nations held 13-14 February at UN HQ in New York provided parliamentary input into the UN Ocean Conference scheduled 5-9 June 2017. This conference will conclude with a Call for Action which the IPU hopes will reflect many of the recommendations from the outcome document of the parliamentary hearing and recognise the role parliaments play as key actors in the implementation of all commitments on the ocean. UK participants followed up the hearing through action in the UK Parliament.

Global IssuesHuman RightsIPU Activities & Conferences
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IPU concerned about ongoing efforts to silence MPs

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has again expressed concern about continued human rights violations against MPs worldwide and the lack of respect for their parliamentary immunity.  During its January 2017 session, IPU’s Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians adopted decisions on the cases of 227 MPs from 16 countries. Over 100 MPs are from just three countries, Malaysia, Nicaragua and Turkey.  The Committee has elected a new President in the person of Ms. Fawzia Koofi (Afghanistan).

Global IssuesHuman RightsIPU Activities & Conferences
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Disquieting spike in human rights violations against MPs

This year has seen a sharp increase in the number of parliamentarians who have suffered or who have alleged violations of their fundamental rights.  In an overview of cases being examined by the IPU’s Committee on Human Rights of Parliamentarians, 459 parliamentarians from 42 countries were investigated in 2016 in comparison to 320 parliamentarians in 2015 and 311 parliamentarians in 2014. This outcome underscores the dangers MPs face across the world in exercising their mandate and their right to freedom of expression.

Global IssuesHuman RightsIPU Activities & Conferences
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Gender-sensitive reforms in parliaments needed to eliminate VAW

Marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, IPU is launching an innovative self-assessment toolkit which assists parliaments in reviewing their functioning and working methods, and how these contribute to gender equality.  This is a follow-up to the IPU’s landmark study on sexism against women MPs as part of the IPU’s commitment to advance gender-sensitive reforms in parliaments.  BGIPU has been active in promoting the IPU’s work and sees the launch as a vitally important contribution to such efforts.

Global IssuesHuman RightsIPU Activities & Conferences
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135th IPU Assembly highlights human rights role of parliamentarians

The IPU met in Geneva from 23-27 October for the 135th Assembly to debate “Human rights abuses as precursors of conflict: Parliaments as early responders”. In addition to acknowledging the achievements of its Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians on its 40th anniversary, the debate also highlighted the key role by played by parliamentarians as human rights defenders.  Among other outcomes, the Assembly held an emergency debate on the situation in Syria and passed a resolution on the political empowerment of women.

EuropeHuman RightsIPU Activities & Conferences
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Uruguay making drug policy reform efforts

Uruguay’s policy of taking national control of all production and sale of cannabis is still in a very early phase of implementation, and it remains highly controversial politically.  Uruguay interlocutors confirmed to the UK Delegation which visited the country in September 2016 that the policy was an experiment and it would be monitored carefully.  It would be changed if necessary and other countries might improve upon it but Uruguay was keen to be seen as a leader in drug policy reform efforts. 

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Inward Delegations Outward Delegations Executive Committee IPU Activities & Conferences BGIPU Seminars & Events APPGs

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Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Human Rights Peace & Security Trade and Sustainable Development Political Empowerment

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