Global democracy and worldwide referendum subject of event in Brussels
The possibility of conducting a worldwide referendum with an equal vote for every person in the world will be among the subjects of an event in the European Parliament next week Tuesday, 23 February, that is hosted by European lawmaker Graham Watson, the EU Chapter of the Club of
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Rome and the Secretariat of the Campaign for a UN Parliamentary Assembly. The occasion is planned to be used for the presentation of a "Brussels Declaration on Global Democracy."
The public event will begin with a special screening of the documentary "World Vote Now" that was produced over the span of eight years with field-tests in 26 countries in all world regions. "We are told that democracy creates stability and raising living standards. So why not introduce it on a worldwide scale," said filmmaker Joel Ben Marsden who will be present in Brussels. According to Marsden, he and his team of democracy activists so far got "a lot of enthusiastic response."
The film screening is expected to fuel a subsequent panel discussion. Participants will include Graham Watson MEP, a representative of the Spanish EU Council Presidency, a representative of Bolivian President Evo Morales, as well as representatives of amnesty international and the Campaign for a UN Parliamentary Assembly.
Film trailer
 
Speaking at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen past December, the Bolivian President had suggested a "global referendum on climate change."
"We hope that the Spanish EU Presidency will take a position on the matter on this occasion," said Marsden.
National Assembly of Seychelles backs proposal for elected UN body
In October 2009 the National Assembly of Seychelles, comprising thirty-three members, unanimously approved a motion recommending that the Republic of Seychelles promotes the establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly. The parliament of the archipelago nation of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean with a population of around 84,000 inhabitants is among the first in the world that have declared political support for the creation of an elected global body. On this occasion we have talked to the Chairman of its Committee on International Affairs, Hon. Waven William.
Advocates of a global parliamentary assembly often claim that there is a democracy deficit in today's global governance. What is the nature of this deficit from your point of view?
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| Hon. Waven William at a panel in Brussels in July 2008 |
| Image: CTA |
Too many global decisions are taken today which have major impacts on the residents of this planet earth, be it positive or negative, although the views of the inhabitants of this world have not been given a chance to be heard. Those with the financial and economic clout can dictate world affairs in their favor to the detriment of the weaker ones. Partnership agreements that are being signed in such constellations do not really create a win-win situation but rather serve the purpose to protect the interests of those who already have advantageous positions.
In what way do you believe could a UN Parliamentary Assembly help to mitigate this situation?
If set up, elected representatives from all the world’s countries could ensure that decision making and actions taken are balanced, fair and to the benefit of all. The assembly would make it possible that the views of the people would be heard. This would help to achieve the awareness that is required to bring about the necessary considerations that would actually lead to improvement and change.
In the UN General Assembly all countries have one vote, however large or small they are. In order to balance this arrangement it has been suggested that the number of elected representatives per country in a parliamentary assembly could be allocated according to a country's population size whereas small countries could get a minimum number so that they are represented at all. Do you think that such a design would still be beneficial for a small island state such as the Seychelles?
Yes, it would. However, my suggestion is that within the group of small states a rotation of their representation is considered in order to make the whole process as democratic as possible.
The leaders of the delegations of the European Parliament and the Pan-African Parliament to the Copenhagen Climate Conference have issued a statement saying that they believe that a UN Parliamentary Assembly is crucial to renovate the UN's decision-making structures. Could you imagine that the climate talks would be more successful if a global parliament would be involved?
Absolutely, as a global parliament is the aim of this ongoing campaign, we should not lose sight of this principal objective to have greater participation and representation of the people of this planet.
How strongly do you already feel the impact of climate change on the Seychelles?
It is becoming more tangible and threatening. The pattern of consumption of the world especially in the developing countries, for example in terms of energy, is leading to cross-border ecological changes that put pressure on the world and the ones most likely to take the brunt of it will be the small island states. Sea level rise is happening, as is the ever increasing evidence of coastal erosion, and the erosion of rivers and marsh embankments. Coral bleaching is another phenomenon which is becoming more apparent and the temperature rise is causing harmful effects to both man and animals, and brings about drastic changes to their environmental habitat. All in all, these changes also have an unforeseen, additional economic impact on the country. This undermines the sustainable resilience capacity of our nation as it calls for more investment in mitigation and adaptation projects.
Does the government share the view of the National Assembly that a UN Parliamentary Assembly is needed?
It is of the view that this is perhaps the way forward now to safeguard the interest of the peoples of this planet, issues one could think of are equitable distribution of wealth, poverty reduction and global market integration.
What are your plans now that you have passed that resolution?
We intend to follow closely what position are being manifested around the world and at the global level, to encourage others to join the campaign as well as to encourage government to play a much bigger role in the UN, in particular that it tries to convince other government to consider the establishment of this important oversight body within the UN.
Chief Justices of Global South call for world parliament
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| The Chief Justice of Uganda, B.J. Odoki, school founder J. Ghandi, and Chief Justice of Afghanistan, A.S. Azimi, presenting the resolution |
| Image: CMS |
The final resolution of an international conference of sitting and former judges of the supreme courts of over 30 countries that took place in Lucknow, India, has called for a revision of the United Nations Charter and for the establishment of a world parliament. The declaration that was adopted unanimously by over 100 participants says that the UN's Charter should be revised "with a view to making the UN a fully democratic, representative and effective institution for maintenance of peace and security of mankind with the ultimate goal to create one world government." The document stipulates that "all world laws should be enacted by an elected world parliament" and that "a world court of justice should be established to enforce the world laws passed by the world parliament."
Participants of the conference included, among others, the Chief Justices of of the Supreme Courts of Afghanistan, Benin, Burkina Faso, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Maldives, Montenegro, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tchad and Uganda, the Vice-Presidents of the Supreme Courts of Egypt, Lao, Tajikistan and Turkey, and six former judges of the Indian Supreme Court.
The conference was the 10th of its kind organized by City Montessori School (CMS) in Lucknow in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. With 35,000 students on roll, the school is said to be the world's largest in one single city. The conference was held from 11-14 December 2009.
After Copenhagen: Delegation leaders of European and Pan-African Parliament call for renovation of decision-making process
According to a joint statement issued by the leaders of the delegations of the Pan-African Parliament and the European Parliament to the Copenhagen Climate Conference last week, "the failure of the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen was caused as well by the non-transparent and ineffective mechanisms of the United Nations working methods." As a consequence, the statement expresses the need to renovate the UN's decision-making structures through a Parliamentary Assembly. The document notes that "a Parliamentary Assembly at UN level with parliamentary working methods linked with open discussion and majority votes could be helpful for the global decision-making process."
The statement which was issued on the occasion of a meeting between the delegations of the Pan-African Parliament and the European Parliament during the COP15 Climate Conference emphasizes "the common position of the European Parliament and the Pan-African Parliament that a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA) should be established within the UN system." According to the delegation leaders, Hon. Mary Mugenyi, Second Vice-President of the Pan-African Parliament from Uganda, and Jo Leinen, Chair of the Environment Committee of the European Parliament from Germany, "the creation of a UNPA can and should be initiated and pursued independently from other issues of UN reform currently on the international agenda."
Both, the Pan-African Parliament and the European Parliament, have adopted resolutions supporting the creation of a UN Parliamentary Assembly. In October 2007 the Pan-African Parliament noted, among other things, that "a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly eventually should have participation and oversight rights, in particular, to send fully participating parliamentary delegations or representatives to international governmental fora and negotiations."
Mr Leinen said that the agreement of Copenhagen is a "huge disappointment" as it "postpones climate protection to a later date." The European Parliament's delegation deplored the fact that the "Copenhagen Accord" is not a legally binding agreement, and only "recognises" the need to keep temperature increase below 2 degrees Celsius. Mr Leinen stressed that a "world parliament" would be able to represent "the interest of humanity as a whole." According to Mr Leinen, this view was "underrepresented in the negotiations in Copenhagen."
The joint statement was welcomed by the Campaign for the Establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly, a global network of parliamentarians, non-governmental organizations and activists working for strengthened citizen's participation in global institutions. The Campaign's Secretary-General, Andreas Bummel, noted that "the failure of the Copenhagen Climate Conference illustrates the inability of traditional international diplomacy and the United Nations to cope with global challenges. A UN Parliamentary Assembly could be the decisive political catalyst for an overhaul of the international system."
Forum of Libyan civil society backs campaign for UN Parliament
The Forum of Civil Society Institutions of Libya backs the proposal for the establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA). This was resolved at the forum's annual meeting which convened last Tuesday in Tripoli. The decision was preceded by an extensive debate chaired by Dr. Nuri Ben Othman, the National Coordinator of the Campaign for a UN Parliamentary Assembly and Secretary-General of Al-Amal Charitable Association for Orphans Care. In his speech Dr. Othman stressed the need for a reform and democratization of the United Nations and that a parliamentary body could be a tool to speed up the process. The participants concurred that a UN Parliamentary Assembly needs to be viewed as "a first step to establish a real world parliament." It was emphasized that the assembly should be open for participation of civil society organizations. The forum suggested in its resolution that non-governmental organizations should be vested with observer status in a UNPA.
Besides of supporting the proposal for a global parliament, the forum, among other things, also urged the abolishment of the veto right in the UN Security Council and called for a strengthening of the United Nations.
The meeting was attended by around 400 participants who represented some 250 libyan civil society organizations. Parts of the meeting were broadcasted by Albadeel TV.
"Global governance needs more democracy", says Chair of EP delegation to COP15
Copenhagen/Brussels. The Chairman of the European Parliament's delegation to the Copenhagen Climate Conference, Jo Leinen, calls for a stronger role of elected representatives and parliaments in global governance. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Leinen said that "the current system of establishing international rules through intergovernmental treaty negotiations needs to be reviewed." According to Leinen, "it is no longer acceptable that such negotiations are held exclusively among governments. We need a system which allows for more democratic participation."
Said Leinen: "If at all, elected representatives formally participate in such negotiations under the roof of a government delegation and mostly don't have full access. The United Nations still operates within the outdated paradigm of international affairs according to which only the government executives are recognized as proper representatives of their country." In today's interconnected world, however, it is no longer sufficient that a country's political complexity is represented by the government view alone. Elected representatives can be held accountable by their constituents and would introduce new dynamics into negotiations. For this purpose they need an independent and fixed position with full access.
According to Leinen, the best way to give elected representatives a voice in global institutions and intergovernmental treaty negotiations would be through the establishment of a world parliament. Leinen pointed out that the European Parliament has repeatedly called for the establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly, urging in a resolution adopted in June 2005 that such a body "should be vested with genuine rights of information, participation and control."
It is the purpose of national governments to defend, first of all, what they consider to be in the national interest. By contrast, a world parliament would be free to introduce a complementary view, namely the interest of humanity as a whole. This view is underrepresented in the negotiations in Copenhagen but it is badly needed," said Leinen. "Climate change is a global problem and can only be solved on the global level. It is of utmost importance to create a fair and sound international governance and financial architecture".
Jo Leinen is Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Advisory Group of the Campaign for the Establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly, a global network of parliamentarians, non-governmental organizations and activists working for strengthened citizen's participation in global institutions.
German United Nations Association calls for concrete proposals for establishing a UN Parliamentary Assembly
The United Nations Association of Germany (UNA-Germany) called on the German federal government and the German parliament, the Bundestag, to „develop its own proposals for establishing a Parliamentary Assembly at the United Nations.“ According to the association, parliamentary participation and oversight “should be institutionalized, in medium term, through a Parliamentary Assembly inside the UN system.” The demand is included in a comprehensive catalogue which was adopted unanimously by the general assembly in Berlin on Saturday, 5 December. The catalogue which is titled “Strengthening of the United Nations as key actor and decisive forum of international relations” elaborates, among other things, on the strengthening of human rights, of democracy and international law, on human security and peace, environment and climate protection as well as structural reforms of the UN.
The Chairman of UNA-Germany, Prof. Thomas Bruha, commented that it is not about „creating a world parliament straightaway.” Rather it is necessary, according to Bruha, to take first steps to establish effective parliamentary oversight directly at the UN level. “This would be particularly useful with regard to the special agencies and programmes. Dealing with the topics of the UN General Assembly alone would not be of much help,” said Bruha.
During a public event on the eve of the general assembly the liberal Member of Parliament Marina Schuster said that the crucial question concerns the rights and functions a UN Parliamentary Assembly would be vested with: “This will either make or break the proposal.” According to Schuster, a UN Parliamentary Assembly would not be useful as a mere discussion forum. The former German Ambassador to the UN, Gunter Pleuger, stressed that the UN is “a permanent conference of government executives.” He provoked critical statements from the audience by saying that “the governments will never allow a Parliamentary Assembly to come into being.” The former parliamentary State Secretary in the German foreign ministry, Christoph Zöpel, reminded of a resolution of the German Bundestag adopted in 2005 which, in principle, supported the goal of a UN Parliamentary Assembly. The Chairman of the Committee for a Democratic U.N., Andreas Bummel, referred to the various examples of regional parliamentary assemblies and that it wasn’t necessary that the goal was shared by every government. “A majority vote of the UN General Assembly would be sufficient for the time being and that is not at all utopian,” said Bummel.
The German UNA already called for a UN Parliamentary Assembly in 2005. Its international umbrella organization, the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA), had endorsed the establishment of a UN Parliamentary Assembly at its World Congress in Buenos Aires three years ago and specifically adopted a resolution on the subject.
Germany is the third largest contributor to the UN's regular budget following the United States and Japan.
Workshop on UN Parliamentary Assembly held in Kampala
Strengthening parliamentary democracy in times of globalization and the establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA) was the subject of a workshop held last week, on 25 November, in Kampala, Uganda. Around five Members of Parliament and 20 representatives of local civil society organizations attended the event which was organized by the Parliament of Uganda and a local non-governmental organization, the African Federalist Association, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme. In his opening remarks Hon. Bartile Toskin, a Member of the Ugandan Parliament and the Pan-African Parliament, delivered a message from the Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Edward Sekandi, in which the latter welcomed the participants and reinforced his long-standing support for the efforts to establish a UN Parliamentary Assembly.
The main presenter, Hon. Sunil Dowarkasing, Member of the Parliament of Mauritius and the Pan-African Parliament, gave an overview of the history and structure of the United Nations and elaborated on the concept of a UNPA and possible ways to its creation. "We need a strengthened world organization. At the same time, a renewed sense of ownership in the institution needs to be established. The foundations of the UN have to be reconsidered and widened. Eventually this can only be achieved by creating a direct link between the UN and the world's citizens," said Hon. Dowarkasing.
One of the other presenters, Professor Ezra Mugambe, remarked that a UNPA would constitute "a new kind of international forum in which members could be frank in discussing their affairs." During the debate it was asked, among other things, whether it would not be obvious to consolidate national parliaments first before working on the establishment of a global parliamentary body. It was pointed out that both processes could run in parallel and could be of reciprocal benefit as many political issues have a transborder dimension.
The workshop concluded with a recommendation to the Parliament of Uganda to formally support the establishment of a UNPA and to endorse a resolution of the Pan-African Parliament on the same subject which was passed in October 2007.
Committee: Intransparency of negotiations on ACTA confirms need of global parliamentary body
The Committee for a Democratic United Nations (KDUN), a non-governmental think tank based in Berlin, Germany, has criticised the "worrying intransparency" of the intergovernmental negotiations on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) whose sixth round was held in Seoul from 4th to 6th November. According to the Committee, negotiating texts and drafts of the agreement, which deals with the establishment of "effective international standards for enforcing intellectual property rights", have not yet been disclosed.
"The negotiations on this agreement have started in June 2008. Negotiating texts and drafts are still not publicly available although the process is supposed to be concluded within the next year. We believe that the subjects under discussion have to be put under global public scrutiny. For this purpose, it is necessary that negotiating texts are disclosed to the best possible extent. The rigid information policy pursued by the negotiating parties causes increasing distrust in the process. This is not adequate, as the provisions might have a huge impact on millions of citizens around the world", said Andreas Bummel, the Committee's Chair.
The Committee stressed that the European Parliament has repeatedly called on the European Union's Commission, which takes part in the negotiations, to "immediately make all documents related to the ongoing international negotiations on the ACTA publicly available."
According to KDUN, "public dialogue and discussion has to take place before the negotiating parties agree on a final draft. Experience shows that once they have done so, they will be reluctant to consider any serious changes. From our point of view, it is vital that the parliaments of the negotiating parties are involved. In practice, these parliaments otherwise can only give their blessing, without much opportunity to influence the content of the agreement."
"The creation of global regulation needs to be transparent and democratic. Until now the negotiations on ACTA demonstrate the opposite. This confirms the need of a global parliamentary body which is able to interfere publicly on behalf of the world's citizens", Mr. Bummel stressed. The Committee for a Democratic U.N. promotes the establishment of a UN Parliamentary Assembly which shall have the right, among other things, "to be integrated into multilateral treaty negotiations at the international level".
According to the Swedish Presidency of the European Union, participants in the negotiations on ACTA include Australia, Canada, the European Union, represented by the European Commission, the EU Presidency (Sweden), and EU Member States, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United States of America. "It is remarkable that the negotiations take place outside of existing multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, the World Intellectual Property Organization or the World Trade Organization," KDUN's Vice-Chair, Dr. Claudia Kissling, commented.
Parliamentarians discuss desertification, support establishment of UN Parliamentary Assembly
The role of Members of Parliament in the efforts to combat desertification and to achieve food security was discussed at a Round Table which was held in parallel with the ninth session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP 9) on 24 and 25 September in Buenos Aires. Some 40 parliamentarians representing about 20 parliaments from Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America participated in the event at the invitation of the secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
In a declaration adopted at the end of the deliberations, the parliamentarians stressed, among other things, that "there is no human security without food security. This reality applies above all to the people living in degraded or desertification-prone drylands and belonging to the world’s poorest, most marginalized, and politically weak citizens." The declaration demands that in combating food insecurity "the participation of affected populations and local communities, particularly women and youth, must be ensured." Said Professor Uwe Holtz, a former German MP and member of the UNCCD Panel of Eminent Personalities to consider the poverty-environment nexus: "Parliaments should strive to ensure that food, agricultural trade and overall trade policies are conducive to fostering food security for all through a fair market-oriented non-speculative world trade system embedded in a sustainable, socially balanced and fair globalization."
The declaration furthermore pointed out that "desertification and land degradation issues deserve global policy attention and the needs of drylands must be fully integrated into the Copenhagen Protocol." The adopted text calls for a strengthening of the Parliamentary Network of the UNCCD and notes that "a UN Parliamentary Assembly could strengthen the effectiveness, transparency, representativeness, plurality and legitimacy of the work of the institutions that compose the UN system. The establishment of a UNPA could also be a parliamentary oversight centrepiece of the renewed system of international financial and economic governance."
The Round Table was supported by the Argentine Chamber of Deputies and the Inter-Parliamentary Union.