UN's Independent Expert Alfred de Zayas: "Time for a World Parliamentary Assembly"
Alfred de Zayas. Picture: European Parliament
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)
Post-2015 Agenda should include elected UN Assembly to strengthen democratic participation
5th International Meeting of the Campaign for a UN Parliamentary Assembly concludes with declaration / Strong support from key Members of the European Parliament
The fifth international conference on a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly held in the European Parliament in Brussels on 16th and 17th October called on the United Nations and the international community to make democratic participation a key
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| One of the conference panels |
| Image: European Parliament |
element of the Post-2015 Development Agenda.
In a final declaration, participants from around thirty countries unanimously expressed concern that "no adequate measures have been taken to address the democratic deficit of global governance in general and of the United Nations in particular." The conference suggested that "a global democratic body of elected representatives" should be established "to bring global governance in the pursuit of post-2015 development goals" closer to the world's citizens.
Conference hosted in the European Parliament
The conference was hosted by the Members of the European Parliament Elmar Brok, Jo Leinen, Isabella Lövin, and Graham Watson from the four largest political groups European People's Party EPP, Socialists and Democrats S&D, the Greens, and the liberal ALDE group respectively. At the opening of the conference, Elmar Brok who serves as chairman of the European Parliament's Commission on Foreign Affairs stated that a consultative UN Parliamentary Assembly would "allow world civil society to
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| Antonio Vigilante, Jo Leinen, and Alfred de Zayas |
| Image: European Parliament |
be directly associated in the global decision-making process."
Jo Leinen who is a co-chair of the advisory board of the international campaign for a UN Parliamentary Assembly emphasized that until now no formal body exists that would give citizen-elected representatives a say in global governance. At best they had an observer status. "This is not acceptable," said Mr Leinen. "In a democratic system, the representatives of the citizens are not observers of what the governments do. They should provide oversight and hold the government executives accountable."
At a panel discussion Isabella Lövin used the example of the global fishery policy to show that the system of international governance is dysfunctional. "It's still governed by 16th century principles," she said. Graham Watson pointed out that "there will be times when national interests and global interests collide. A UN Parliamentary Assembly could act as an arbiter and ensure that the voice of the world's citizens is heard."
In a message issued on the occasion of the conference, the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, emphasized the longstanding support for the proposal by the European Parliament. In addition, he declared that "The European Parliament may serve as a model for how 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."
Consultation with the UN's Independent Expert
A similar position was taken by the UN's Independent Expert on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order, Alfred de Zayas, who was participating as a special guest. In a statement delivered at a special consultation, he confirmed that "Participation is a hallmark of democratic governance" and that "civil society is entitled to more space." He said that the establishment of a World Parliamentary Assembly was "a promising avenue" to achieve this and could be modelled according to the example of the European Parliament. Mr de Zayas pointed out that his upcoming report to the UN General Assembly includes the recommendation that it "may consider convening a conference to discuss promising initiatives such as the creation of a World Parliamentary Assembly."
In a comment following the statement by Mr de Zayas, the Member of the European Parliament and chairperson of Democracy International, Gerald Häfner, said that "We cannot leave the world to decision-making that is in the interest of big money or big powers – but not in the interest of the world’s citizens. A UN Parliamentary Assembly is a first step to establish global democracy."
The final declaration adopted by the conference welcomes "the decision of the UN’s Human Rights Council to mandate an Independent Expert on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order," and encourages the Independent Expert "to keep considering the question of a UNPA and in particular to examine possible processes towards its creation."
Main points of the final declaration
In the discussion the Secretary-General of the campaign for a UN Parliamentary Assembly, Andreas Bummel, emphasized three elements in the final declaration: That it puts the proposal for a UN Parliamentary
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| Gathering in front of the European Parliament |
| Image: CEUNPA |
Assembly in the context of the Post-2015 Development Agenda, that it highlights the possibility of having a UN Parliamentary Assembly act as a "network of networks" and finally that the document says that "innovative forms of civic participation" in a UNPA through models of electronic democracy could be considered. In its last session, the conference also deliberated on a possible roadmap towards a UN Parliamentary Assembly as well as on the campaign's goals and strategy.
Other speakers at the conference included, among others, Andrew Strauss from Widener University School of Law in the United States, the UN's representative in Brussels, Antonio Vigilante, the Member of the European Parliament and President of the Union of European Federalists Andrew Duff, the European Parliament's Vice-President Anni Podimata, Swiss parliamentarian Daniel Jositsch as well as Juan Behrend as representative of the Global Greens Coordination, Gregory Engels as representative of Pirate Parties International, and Hanno Schedler of the Society for Threatened Peoples.
Week of Action for a World Parliament
The conference was also a kick-off event for the Global Week of Action for a World Parliament that takes place until UN day on 24 October. At the end of the conference participants gathered in front of the European Parliament at Place du Luxembourg in Brussels and displayed the week's slogan, "World Parliament Now!"
Documents
Final declaration of the conference
Statement by the UN's Independent Expert
Statement by the President of the European Parliament
Read more
Top image: Official group photo, by European Parliament
Weltweite Aktionswoche fordert globales Parlament als Antwort auf globale Probleme
Erste "Globale Aktionswoche für ein Weltparlament" mit Veranstaltungen an mehr als fünfzig Orten rund um die Welt gestartet
In mehr als fünfzig Städten rund um die Welt haben Aktivisten Veranstaltungen organisiert und die Einrichtung eines demokratisch gewählten Weltparlaments gefordert. Nach der Ankündigung der ersten "Globalen Aktionswoche für ein Weltparlament",
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die am Donnerstag begonnen hat und bis zum Tag der Vereinten Nationen am 24. Oktober fortdauern wird, erfordern "globale Probleme" auch "globale Lösungen". In dem Mobilisierungsaufruf wird die Sorge zum Ausdruck gebracht, "dass unser derzeitiges politisches System nicht ausreicht, um damit die wachsenden globalen Herausforderungen in den Griff zu bekommen". Das wichtigste Anliegen der Regierungen sei es, nationale Interessen zu verteidigen und nicht "das Gemeinwohl der Menschheit und der Umwelt". Ein Weltparlament hingegen wäre "ein Instrument, um Lösungen zu finden und umzusetzen, die demokratisch sind, für die Rechenschaft abgelegt werden muss und die dem besten Interesse der Menschheit dienen".
Letzten Donnerstag versammelten sich die Teilnehmer einer internationalen Konferenz über die Einrichtung einer Parlamentarischen Versammlung bei den Vereinten Nationen vor dem Europäischen Parlament in Brüssel und hielten den Slogan der Aktionswoche hoch: "Weltparlament jetzt!" Weitere Veranstaltungen finden unter anderem in Berlin, Buenos Aires, Jerusalem, London, Nairobi, Rom, Sydney, Tokio, Vancouver, als auch Guadalajara in Mexiko, Göteborg in Schweden und Rajkot in Indien, statt. Aktuelle Informationen zu den diversen Aktivitäten während der Woche werden über das soziale Netzwerk Facebook geteilt, das auch als Plattform für die Online-Mobilisierung dient.
Bürgerinnen und Bürger der Welt sollen Vertreter für weltweite Belange wählen
Die Organisatoren der Woche argumentieren, dass ein Weltparlament der nächste logische Schritt in der Entwicklung der Demokratie sei. "In einer demokratischen Ordnung", so sagen sie, "wählen die Bürgerinnen und Bürger bereits auf verschiedenen Ebenen ihre politischen Vertreter. Es gibt Stadträte, Provinz- oder Landtage und nationale Parlamente. In Europa gibt es sogar ein kontinentales Parlament. Und doch, für globale Angelegenheiten, die alle und jeden Menschen auf diesen Planeten betreffen, gibt es kein gewähltes Weltparlament.”
Die Aktionswoche stellt sich hinter die politische Forderung nach einer globalen parlamentarischen Versammlung bei den Vereinten Nationen. Diese Forderung wurde zum Beispiel bereits von mehr als 1000 gewählten Vertretern aus über 100 Ländern unterstützt, die den Aufruf der internationalen Kampagne für die Einrichtung einer Parlamentarischen Versammlung bei den Vereinten Nationen unterzeichnet haben. Kürzlich empfahl Alfred de Zayas, der unabhängige UN-Experte für "eine demokratischere und gerechtere internationalen Ordnung", dem UNO-Menschenrechtsrat, eine Studie darüber durchzuführen, wie eine globale parlamentarische Versammlung "wirkliche Partizipation" voranbringen könne. Vor zwei Jahren hatte das Europäische Parlament die EU-Regierungen aufgefordert, eine Initiative in der UN-Generalversammlung zu starten.
Website der Globalen Aktionswoche für ein Weltparlament
Oberes Bild: Protest für ein Weltparlament in Brüssel, von Joan Marc Simon
Worldwide activities launched to call for a Global Parliament that addresses global problems
First "Global Week of Action for a World Parliament" with activities in over fifty locations around the world
In over fifty cities around the world activists have organized events to call for the establishment of an elected world parliament. According to the announcement of the first "Global Week of Action for a World Parliament,"
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which was launched on Thursday and which will continue until United Nations day on 24 October, "global problems require global solutions." The call for action expresses concern that the "current political system is inadequate to deal with growing global challenges." It says that the "primary concern" of governments is "national interests and not the common good of humanity." An "elected world parliament," by contrast, "would be an instrument to find and implement solutions that are democratic, accountable and serve the best interest of humanity."
On Thursday, attendees of an international conference on a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly gathered in front of the European Parliament in Brussels and held up the week's slogan "World Parliament Now!" Further events are taking place in Berlin, Buenos Aires, Jerusalem, London, Nairobi, Rome, Sydney, Tokyo, Vancouver, as well as Guadalajara in Mexico, Gothenburg in Sweden or Rajkot in India, among others. Up-to-date information on the activities during the week is shared on Facebook which also serves as a platform for online mobilization.
The world’s citizens "should vote for their world representatives"
The week's organizers argue that a world parliament is a logical next step in the development of democracy. "In a democratic order," they say, "citizens already elect representatives at multiple levels. There are city councils, provincial or state parliaments and national parliaments. In Europe there’s even a continental parliament. And yet for global matters that affect each and every person on the planet, there exists no elected world parliament."
The week of action backs the political support for a global parliamentary assembly at the United Nations. More than 1,000 elected representatives from over 100 countries, for instance, have endorsed the international Campaign for a UN Parliamentary Assembly. Recently, the UN's Independent Expert on a Democratic and Equitable International Order, Alfred de Zayas, recommended to the UN's Human Rights Council to conduct a study on how a World Parliamentary Assembly "may advance genuine participation." Two years ago the European Parliament called on the European Union's governments to launch an initiative in the UN General Assembly.
Global Week of Action for a World Parliament's website
Top image: Protest for a world parliament in Brussels, picture: Joan Marc Simon
Martin Schulz: European Parliament may serve as a model for a UN Parliamentary Assembly
Martin Schulz (Image: EP)
On the occasion of the 5th International Meeting on a UN Parliamentary Assembly that started yesterday in Brussels with sessions in the European Parliament, the European Parliament's President Martin Schulz issued the following greetings to the participants:
On the occasion of the 5th International Meeting on a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly, I cordially welcome you to Brussels and the European Parliament. The fact that the European Parliament is host to this important meeting for the second time underlines the parliament's important role and exemplary function.
In 1994, the European Parliament was the first parliamentary body in the world to endorse the proposal of a UN Parliamentary Assembly. Most recently, in a resolution adopted in 2011, the European Parliament called on the Council of the European Union to advocate for the establishment of a UN Parliamentary Assembly within the UN system. According to this recommendation, the assembly would serve the purpose “to increase the democratic character, the democratic accountability and the transparency of global governance and to allow for better citizen participation in the activities of the UN.” Since then, this House has continued to call, both in words and deeds, for enhanced democratisation of the UN system and for promoting greater participation of parliamentarians in global activities for the benefit of our citizens.
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, even if the development is still ongoing. We are delighted that the example of the European Parliament is inspiring and encouraging the efforts for democratizing the UN system and global governance. I strongly believe that more interaction on global issues between governments and parliaments would strengthen global governance and allow for greater public and parliamentary participation in the activities of the UN.
I wish you a successful meeting and a pleasant stay in Brussels.
More information on the meeting will follow soon.
Further statements in support of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly
Statement from Johan Galtung
Since our last post in August, we have collected and published further statements in support of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly.
On 31 August, the Norwegian sociologist and mathematician Johan Galtung who is considered to be a founder of the discipline of peace studies said:
I'm enthusiastic about the idea of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly. Representing the world's citizens, it would finally bring democracy to the global stage. If the Indian Union and the European Union can organize a parliament, the world as a whole can do it, too.We interviewed him for this blog and his support is no surprise. He's one of the initial signatories of the international appeal for a UN Parliamentary Assembly and in the 1970s he already voiced support for the proposal of a world parliament.
In another exclusive statement, Sándor Fülöp, former Parliamentary Commissioner for Future Generations in Hungary and a member of the World Future Council, noted that:
Our world is facing ecological disasters and challenges that are systemic and global. The response has to be systematic and global as well. That's why genuinely global institutions such as a UN Parliamentary Assembly are required.In September, the Humanist Association of Germany decided to endorse the campaign for a UN Parliamentary Assembly (this background might be interesting). On this occasion, their president Frieder Otto Wolf, professor of philosophy at Free University of Berlin, said the following:
The global community will not succeed in solving its deep crisis and huge common problems if the citizens have no say and no right to participation. From a humanist perspective, democratising the UN through a parliamentary assembly thus isn't only merely useful, it's indispensable.Another prominent statement came from Germany in September. Brigitte Zypries, the former minister of justice and member of parliament (who was re-elected in the recent elections) raised the issue of non-democratic states but thinks that a UN Parliamentary Assembly could be a start nevertheless:
The idea of a democratically elected world parliament seems like a nice, but still distant dream if one considers the many dictatorships in the world. The establishment of a UN Parliamentary Assembly however, that initially has advisory powers and exercises oversight, could be a good and feasible first step into this direction.Finally, the latest statement for now was made by the Greek politician Vasso Papandreou, former minister and former member of the European Commission:
The strengthening of the United Nations will only be achieved by the participation of direct representatives of the citizens in the decision-making process. The setting up of a Global Parliamentary Assembly is fundamental for the functioning of democracy today.As usual, we've posted these statements at Flickr and Facebook.
Parlamentarische Konferenz zur Wüstenbildung unterstützt ein UNO-Parlament
Internationales Treffen von 65 Abgeordneten verabschiedet Deklaration
Das parlamentarische Netzwerk zur Desertifikation, das am 20. und 21. September im namibianischen Windhuk tagte, hat eine Deklaration über "die Rolle von Parlamentariern in den Bemühungen zur Bekämpfung der Desertifikation, Bodenverschlechterung und Dürre" sowie über "parlamentarische Beiträge zur Erzielung einer bodenverschlechterungs-neutralen Welt im Kontext
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| Logo der UNCCD COP11-Konferenz in Windhuk |
| Bild: UNCCD |
der Post-2015 Entwicklungsagenda" verabschiedet. Die letzte von zwanzig Empfehlungen besagt, dass Abgeordnete die "Etablierung einer Parlamentarischen Versammlung bei den Vereinten Nationen" fördern sollten. Das Dokument erklärt außerdem, dass "Mechanismen parlamentarischer Aufsicht, etwa gegenüber der Global Environment Facility, regionalen Entwicklungsbanken oder dem Green Climate Fund" aufgebaut werden sollten.
Der zehnte Runde Tisch des parlamentarischen Netzwerkes zur Desertifikation wurde parallel zur elften Konferenz der Vertragsparteien der UN-Konvention zur Bekämpfung der Wüstenbildung UNCCD abgehalten. Er wurde vom Parlament Namibias und dem UNCCD-Sekretariat organisiert und brachte 65 Abgeordnete aus 18 Ländern zusammen. Die Abschlusserklärung des Runden Tisches wird der elften Vertragsstaatenkonferenz bei ihrer letzten Sitzung am Freitag, den 27. September, vorgestellt.
Ein vom ehemaligen deutschen Parlamentarier Uwe Holtz verfasstes UN-Handbuch zur Rolle von Abgeordneten bei der Implementierung der UN-Konvention zur Bekämpfung der Wüstenbildung, das Ende Juli veröffentlicht wurde, hatte bereits vorgeschlagen, dass die in dem Prozess involvierten Abgeordneten in der Etablierung einer Parlamentarischen Versammlung bei den Vereinten Nationen "eine führende Rolle" spielen könnten.
Eine im November 2009 vom Runden Tisch verabschiedete Erklärung besagte, dass "eine Parlamentarische Versammlung bei der UNO die Effektivität, Transparenz, Repräsentativität, Pluralität und Legitimität der Arbeit der Institutionen des UN-Systems stärken [könnte]. Die Etablierung einer UNPA könnte auch ein zentrales Element parlamentarischer Aufsicht in einem erneuerten System der internationalen Finanz- und Wirtschaftsregulierung sein".
Mehr lesen
Oberes Bild: Desertifikations-Management in Tinfu, Marokko, 2011, von Richard Allaway, CC BY 2.0
Parliamentary conference on desertification supports a UN Parliamentary Assembly
International meeting of 65 legislators adopts declaration
The Parliamentary Round Table on Desertification that took place in Windhoek, Namibia, on 20 and 21 September 2013, issued a declaration on "the role of Members of Parliament in the efforts to combat desertification, land degradation and drought" and on "parliamentary contributions to achieving a land-degradation neutral world in the context
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| Logo of the UNCCD COP11 conference in Windhoek |
| Image: UNCCD |
of the Post-2015 Development Agenda". The final of twenty recommendations says that legislators should "promote the establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly". The document also declares that "parliamentary oversight mechanisms, e.g. vis-à-vis the Global Environment Facility, regional development banks, the Green Climate Fund" should be created.
The 10th Round Table of Members of Parliament was held in parallel with the ongoing eleventh session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, UNCCD. Co-organized by the Namibian National Parliament and the UNCCD secretariat, the Round Table brought together 65 Parliamentarians from 18 countries. The declaration will be presented at the last plenary session of the Conference of State Parties, COP11, which ends Friday, 27 September.
A United Nations handbook on the role of parliamentarians in the implementation of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification that was published at the end of July suggested that parliamentarians involved in the process "could play a leadership role" in the establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly.
In November 2009, a declaration adopted by the Parliamentary Round Table on the UNCCD said 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."
Read more
Top image: Desertification Management in Tinfu, Morocco, 2011, by Richard Allaway, CC BY 2.0
UN-Experte empfiehlt Studie über UNO-Parlament, Ägypten äußert sich positiv
UN-Sonderberichterstatter für eine demokratische und gerechte internationale Ordnung präsentiert Fortschrittsbericht in Genf
Der unabhängige UN-Experte für "die Förderung einer demokratischen und gerechten internationalen Ordnung", Alfred de Zayas, hat dem Menschenrechtsrat der UNO empfohlen, eine Studie darüber anzufertigen, wie eine weltweite Parlamentarierversammlung "echte Partizipation" voranbringen könnte. Nach Zayas könnte der beratende Ausschuss des Rates mit der Durchführung der Studie beauftragt werden.
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| UN-Sonderberichterstatter Alfred de Zayas |
Zayas äußerte die Empfehlung in der vergangenen Woche am 10. September während der Vorstellung eines Fortschrittsberichts zu seinen Aktivitäten als UN-Sonderberichterstatter im Rahmen der 24. Sitzung des Menschenrechtsrates in Genf. Der Rechtswissenschaftler und ehemalige UN-Beamte sagte in seinem Statement, dass die Partizipation in der internationalen Entscheidungsfindung immer noch weit davon entfernt sei, gleichberechtigt oder auch nur fair zu sein. "Tatsächlich", erklärte Zayas,"sind weder der UN-Sicherheitsrat noch die Bretton-Woods-Institutionen demokratisch".
Nach Zayas würde ein weltweites parlamentarisches Gremium den Zweck verfolgen, der Zivilgesellschaft durch eine direktere Vertretung bei der UN eine Stimme zu geben. Eine solche Versammlung sei "eine vielversprechende Initiative", die in kommenden Berichten weitere Betrachtungen verdiene. Im schriftlichen Bericht geht der Völkerrechtler weiter auf den Vorschlag ein und stellt fest, dass hinter einer weltweiten Parlamentarierversammlung die Idee stehe, "Demokratiedefizite anzugehen, indem der globalen öffentlichen Meinung Ausdruck gegeben wird und indem die Bürger in der globalen Entscheidungsfindung durch gewählte Vertreter einbezogen werden". Globale Entscheidungen hätten durch den Input und die Einbeziehung der Bürger größere Legitimität, wenn in der Generalversammlung nicht nur Staaten, sondern auch Menschen repräsentiert würden.
Ägypten sieht den Vorschlag einer Parlamentarierversammlung "positiv"
Während der Debatte zu dem Bericht hob der Vertreter Ägyptens hervor, dass sein Land "den Verweis auf die vorgeschlagene Parlamentarische Versammlung bei den Vereinten Nationen als Instrument zur Einbeziehung der globalen öffentlichen Meinung" positiv bewerte. Der Diplomat sagte, dass Ägypten "die wichtigen Befunde im Bericht des unabhängigen Experten im Hinblick auf gute Beispiele zur Verbesserung und Förderung einer demokratischen und gerechten internationalen Ordnung" begrüße.
In einer ersten Reaktion hieß es von der Kampagne für ein Parlament bei den Vereinten Nationen, ein internationales Netzwerk von Abgeordneten, Vertretern zivilgesellschaftlicher Organisationen und Fachleuten, dass eine vom beratenden Ausschuss des Menschenrechtsrates angefertigte Studie über die Frage einer UN-Parlamentarierversammlung ein "wichtiger Schritt nach vorne" sein würde. "Es wäre das erste Mal, dass sich ein UN-Gremium tatsächlich ernsthaft mit der Sache befasst. Wir halten das für einen sehr guten Vorschlag", sagte Andreas Bummel, der Generalsekretär der Kampagne. "Wir bitten die Mitglieder des Menschenrechtsrates nachdrücklich, dieser Empfehlung ihres unabhängigen Experten zu folgen", fügte er hinzu.
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17. Mai 2013: Neue Weltbürgerversammlung sollte Teil der post-2015-Entwicklungsagenda sein
Oberes Bild: 24. Sitzung des Menschenrechtsrates der Vereinten Nationen, UN-Foto, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
UN expert recommends study on a UN Parliamentary Assembly, Egypt voices support
UN's Independent Expert on a Democratic and Equitable International Order presents progress report in Geneva
The UN's Independent Expert on "the promotion of an equitable and democratic international order," Alfred de Zayas, recommends that the UN's Human Rights Council should conduct a study on how a World Parliamentary Assembly "may advance genuine participation." The study should be assigned to the Council's Advisory Committee, Mr. de Zayas said.
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| The UN's independent expert Alfred de Zayas |
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Mr. de Zayas made the recommendation during a September 10 presentation in Geneva of a progress report on his activities as an independent expert, part of 24th session of the Human Rights Council. The legal scholar and former UN official noted in his statement that "participation in international decision-making is still far from equal or even equitable. Indeed, the United Nations Security Council is not democratic, nor are the Bretton Woods institutions."
According to Mr. de Zayas, a world parliamentary body that would give civil society a voice at the UN through more direct representation is "a promising initiative worth exploring in future reports." In his written report he elaborates more on the proposal and states that the idea of a world parliamentary assembly "is to address democracy deficits by giving expression to global public opinion and including citizens in global decision-making through elected officials." He concludes that global decisions would have greater legitimacy through citizen input and involvement, if the General Assembly represented people as well as states.
Egypt views proposal of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly "positively"
During the debate, the representative of Egypt emphasized that his country views "in positive regard the reference to the proposed United Nations Parliamentary Assembly as one instrument of involving the global public opinion in the global decision-making process." He said that Egypt welcomed "the important findings the independent expert included in his report regarding good practices aimed at enhancing and promoting a democratic and equitable international order."
In a first reaction, the Campaign for a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly, an international network of legislators, civil society representatives and experts, said that a study conducted by the Human Rights Council's Advisory Committee on the subject of a UN Parliamentary Assembly would be an important step forward. "This would be the first time that a UN body actually considers the matter in detail. We very much applaud this suggestion," said Andreas Bummel, the campaign's Secretary-General. "We urge the members of the Human Rights Council to follow this recommendation of its independent expert," he added.
Read more
17 May 2013: New world citizens' assembly should be part of post-2015 agenda, campaign suggests
03 November 2012: UN's Independent Expert to examine proposals for a UN Parliamentary Assembly
Top image: 24th session of the Human Rights Council, UN Photo, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0