UN's Independent Expert Alfred de Zayas: "Time for a World Parliamentary Assembly"

The 5th International Meeting on a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly that was held in the European Parliament in Brussels on 16/17 October 2013 (see our report here) included a special consultation with the UN's Independent Expert on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order, Alfred de Zayas. After the meeting, the Independent Expert issued the following press release on 18 October 2013:

Time for a World Parliamentary Assembly

The Independent Expert on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order, Alfred de Zayas, welcomes the Brussels Declaration of 17 October 2013, adopted upon the conclusion of a Conference hosted by the European Parliament on the modalities of establishing a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly designed to give greater space to civil society and make global decision-making on matters such as peace, the environment, global-warming, fisheries, and the common heritage of humankind genuinely representative of the views of the world citizenry and not only of governments.

In a Welcome message for the 5th International Meeting on a UN Parliamentary Assembly, Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, observed: “The European Parliament may serve as a model for how this global purpose of a UN Parliamentary Assembly could develop over time. What once began as an advisory body composed of national parliamentarians is a directly elected legislature today ... we are delighted that the example of the European Parliament is inspiring and encouraging the efforts for democratizing the UN system and global governance.”

At a panel discussion moderated by Jo Leinen MEP (SPD) the Independent Expert noted that “Participation is a hallmark of democratic governance, entailing a measure of timely consultation so as to legitimize the exercise of governmental power.” He continued: “The right to participation, however, is not a political panacea, a guarantee of social justice or a recipe for peace. While majority rule is an expression of democracy, it may entail a form of populism that disregards the rights of women, indigenous, minorities, migrants, disabled persons, vulnerable groups and others, and therefore results in inequities. Accordingly, the right of participation must be exercised prudently, within the context of the rule of law, and include human rights safeguards.“

The Independent Expert recalled the important publication by former UN Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali An Agenda for Democratization noting that “If democratization is the most reliable way to legitimize and improve national governance, it is also the most reliable way to legitimize and improve international organizations”.

Participants at the conference, including several members of the European Parliament, observed that democratization at the international level entails rendering the UN more open and responsive to the needs of the planet’s population by facilitating participation by all stakeholders in decision-making.

Since 2007 the campaign for a UN Parliamentary Assembly has been endorsed by more than 1000 members of parliaments and numerous other stakeholders hailing from over 100 countries. The fundamental purpose of the Assembly will be to give the world’s citizens a voice at the United Nations through more direct representation. Delegates would be accountable to their constituencies and not to their governments.

The Independent Expert added that “a World Parliamentary Assembly functioning outside the United Nations, or a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly set up as a subsidiary body of the General Assembly pursuant to article 22 of the UN Charter, could start initially as a consultative body and gradually develop into a legislative assembly.”

The Brussels Declaration stipulates inter alia that “Global problems require global solutions. The daily lives of the world’s citizens are increasingly shaped by economic, social and political forces that transcend national boundaries and demonstrate a growing need for more inclusive, effective and transparent global governance.”

The Independent Expert concluded that such an Assembly should be inclusive and open for participation of parliamentarians of all UN Member States and observer States, and also provide for the participation of representatives of indigenous peoples, unrepresented peoples and peoples living under occupation. It is generally acknowledged that there is need for reform and democratization of the United Nations and its institutions. “If the United Nations General Assembly is to be revitalized and strengthened, it also needs to be made more democratic and representative. Complementing it with a parliamentary body could be a key to achieve this goal.” Accordingly, in his report to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/24/38) the Independent Expert recommended that the Council conduct a study on the added value of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly and on the modalities of establishing such a body.

(end of press release)