Around 740 parliamentarians from 127 countries participated in the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) from April 5 to 9. The IPU convened for the first time in Central Asia, in the Uzbek capital Tashkent. Among the participants were Members of the House of Representatives Judith Tielen (VVD) and Glimina Chakor (GroenLinks-PvDA) and Members of the Senate Hendrik-Jan Talsma (ChristenUnie, delegation leader) and Fatimazhra Belhirch (D66). The meeting focused on parliamentary action for social development and justice. The war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East were discussed, as well as the need for dialogue.
The Assembly adopted two resolutions: on the role of parliaments in promoting a two-state solution for Palestine and on the impact of conflicts on sustainable development. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev addressed the parliamentarians, and Belize became the 182nd member of the IPU. The Dutch delegation also met with Nico Schermers, the Dutch ambassador to Central Asia. Prior to and during the Assembly, the 12 Plus group, the Western group of countries within the IPU of which the Netherlands is a member, convened to discuss the main elements of the meeting. The Clerks of the House of Representatives and the Senate, Remco Nehmelman and Peter Oskam, participated in the meeting of the global association of secretaries-general, Association of Secretary-Generals of Parliaments (ASGP), which took place simultaneously.
Parliamentary action for social development and justice
During the plenary debate on the central theme of parliamentary diplomacy, Judith Tielen spoke about the role of women in promoting social development and the obstacles that particularly affect women: Women are at a higher risk of poverty, poor health, and inadequate care and face an alarmingly high risk of domestic violence and intimidation. She expressed her concerns about current developments, where conservative male forces are widening the gap between men and women at the expense of women and their basic rights.
Glimina Chakor also spoke in her contribution to the plenary debate about the relationship between economic growth and social security: In a society where people feel economically secure, there is room for creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The absence of economic security provides fertile ground for populism, extremism, and distrust in democratic institutions. On the last day of the meeting, the Assembly adopted the Tashkent Declaration on parliamentary action for social development and justice.
Urgent debate
Three proposals were submitted in advance for an urgent debate, an important part of the IPU Assembly. The topics varied from global economic cooperation, the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, to the recent violation of the ceasefire by Israel and conflicts in Congo and Sudan.
If multiple proposals achieved the required two-thirds majority, they would be treated as a trial in the debate. Prior to the vote, the proposal from the Executive Committee to address two topics was contested, as it was contrary to IPU rules. IPU President Tulia Ackson therefore decided not to proceed with the trial.
None of the proposals achieved the two-thirds majority, resulting in no urgent debate being held. The Dutch delegation voted fully in favor of the proposal regarding the humanitarian disaster in Myanmar and partially for the proposal on global economic cooperation.
Committee on Peace and International Security
The permanent committee on peace and international security met over three consecutive days to discuss the draft resolution on the role of parliaments in promoting a two-state solution in Palestine. This was established through coordination among rapporteurs from all six geopolitical groups.
After the consideration of a large number of amendments, the essence was so removed from the original draft text that a compromise had to be found. The Palestinian delegation proposed to bring the original text of the draft resolution to the plenary session. After consultations among the six geopolitical groups, the plenary session unanimously adopted the resolution on April 9.
Additionally, it was decided that the topic of the next resolution would be the role of parliaments in establishing robust mechanisms for post-conflict management and restoring just and sustainable peace. Belhirch has been appointed as rapporteur for this. Furthermore, the topic raised by Belhirch regarding strengthening the role of parliaments in overseeing defense budgets to promote national security, prevention, and peace will be addressed during a panel debate of the committee in the fall. There was also a workshop on addressing weapons of mass destruction: a human perspective which was chaired by Belhirch.
Committee on Middle East Issues
The members of the Committee on Middle East Issues re-elected Hendrik-Jan Talsma as chair for a second term of one year. The committee discussed reforms of the working methods and composition of the committee to achieve a better reflection of the IPU members. While the committee wants to contribute to a just and sustainable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it also wants to elevate other conflicts in the region, including those in Yemen, Sudan, and Syria, higher on the agenda.
On behalf of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Marta Lorenzo outlined the impact of the conflict on civilians and humanitarian personnel. Abdulla Al Manai, director of the King Hamad Global Centre for Coexistence and Tolerance, updated the committee on initiatives to promote dialogue and inclusion through education, stakeholder engagement, and legislative support to promote peace, the rule of law, and social cohesion.
Violations of the rights of parliamentarians worldwide
The special committee within the IPU dealing with violations of the human rights of parliamentarians worldwide presented the cases of 266 parliamentarians in twelve countries, including Brazil, Chile, Myanmar, Israel, Turkey, Congo, and Senegal, who are facing murder, imprisonment, disappearance, torture, and threats.
Notably, the contribution of Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko from Senegal, who as the founder of a political party was imprisoned and was one of the cases, was particularly significant. He thanked the IPU, and the committee in particular, for the ongoing attention and commitment to his case: This shows that parliamentary solidarity knows no boundaries of national borders or political context. His success in being elected Prime Minister was, according to him, a victory for all IPU members.
Other
On April 6, the Dutch members met with their colleagues from the United Arab Emirates. There was also a meeting with UNRWA on April 7 regarding the situation in Gaza. During the session of the Committee on Democracy and Human Rights on international adoption, Glimina Chakor spoke about the measures taken in the Netherlands to combat child trafficking. On April 8, this committee discussed the follow-up to the resolution on the risks of using artificial intelligence (AI). Chakor emphasized that, in addition to legislation, support is also needed for victims of AI-generated fake news.
Judith Tielen defended the amendments submitted on behalf of the Netherlands in the Committee on Sustainable Development. She was elected during the Governing Council as one of the fifteen members of the newly established Health Committee, the successor to the Health Advisory Group. Tielen, Chakor, and Belhirch were present on April 6 at the session of Women Parliamentarians who discussed the resolutions at hand, and on April 8, Tielen and Chakor participated in the Forum of Women Parliamentarians.
Simultaneously with the IPU Assembly, the clerks association ASGP convened. Vice-chairman of the ASGP, Remco Nehmelman, Clerk of the Senate, spoke about the rule of law in the Netherlands. Peter Oskam, Clerk of the House of Representatives, made a contribution that same day about the influence of social media on parliaments..