Geneva International Centre for Justice recommends the creation of a UN Parliamentary Assembly
Side-event at the Human Rights Council co-organized by GICJ on September 22, 2016
On the occasion of United Nations Day on October 24, 2017, the Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) published a statement that included recommendations on improving the democratic character of the world organization. In particular, GICJ recommended the creation of a UN Parliamentary Assembly:
"To include the voices of those who are most affected by global decisions, the world’s citizens must find a democratic platform within the world’s governance. One possible platform would be a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly, to be established by the General Assembly or through a new international treaty – an idea that has long been debated. Such assembly could address the UN’s democratic deficit by including citizens in global decision-making through elected representatives."
The primary objectives of the Centre are to combat human rights violations, reinforce commitment to human rights principles, raise awareness of violations, hold violators accountable and seek justice for victims.
GICJ follows up on the work and activities of human rights mechanisms, in particular the UN's Human Rights Council in Geneva and associated special rapporteurs and working groups.
Need for "reinvention" of the UN highlighted at Global Forum of Young Diplomats
Hans Köchler speaking in Sochi. Picture: Russia Today
The need for a "reinvention" of the United Nations was the focus of a keynote speech by Professor Hans Köchler, President of the International Progress Organization, held at the first Global Forum of Young Diplomats in Sochi, Russia, from October 16-20.
According to a report by DOC Research Institute that co-hosted the forum, Professor Köchler called for the UN to become "an inclusive and democratic community of states that is truly representative of the aspirations of all the peoples of the world, as solemnly stated in the Charter’s preamble."
In his speech titled "Formation of a Multipolar World and the Potential for United Nations Reform" the philosopher and international law expert pointed out that "measures of reform that require amendments of the UN Charter need the consent of the permanent members of the Security Council, which will be difficult to obtain, especially as regards decision-making procedures in the field of peace and security. Measures that do not require changes in the Charter are more realistic."
In his opinion, "one such step to make the world organization more democratic and transparent would be the creation of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly (UNPA) as subsidiary organ of the General Assembly."
The event was opened by Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey V. Lavrov. It was attended by 150 young diplomats from 70 diplomatic services from around the world.
Brylyne Chitsunge
The United Nations needs to become more representative and inclusive relative to those who are most affected by its work and global challenges. A United Nations Parliamentary Assembly would be a way to achieve this. This new body would have to guarantee that the voices of farmers from around the world are better heard and understood, especially for developing countries particularly in Africa.Toshiki Kaifu
I support the establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly. For a better world order we need a World Parliament now!Campaign welcomes Pan-African Parliament's "pioneering role" in efforts for a UN Parliamentary Assembly
Statement and meetings at the 5th ordinary session of the 4th Pan-African Parliament
PAP's President Roger Nkodo Dang receiving the UNPA Campaign's coordinator, Andreas Bummel
In a statement to a plenary session of the Pan-African Parliament on October 11 in Midrand, South Africa, the Secretary-General of the Campaign for a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly, Andreas Bummel, welcomed the African Union body's "pioneering role" in the efforts for a UN Parliamentary Assembly, in short UNPA.
"Almost exactly ten years ago, just six months after the campaign for a UNPA was launched, the Pan-African Parliament took on a pioneering role and adopted a resolution in support of a UN Parliamentary Assembly," Mr. Bummel said. He added that PAP rightfully pointed out in another resolution adopted in May last year that "a UN Parliamentary is necessary to establish democratic participation and representation of the world’s citizens in the UN."
The campaign's representative who was invited to attend the opening ceremony of PAP's 5th ordinary session stated that in his opinion, "citizens, parliaments, member states and the UN alike would benefit from a UNPA in many ways."
Mr. Bummel argued that as a formal connection between the UN and parliaments, a UNPA would be helpful to support implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. "On the other hand, UNPA would complement the High Level Political Forum in providing the necessary oversight and accountability, and help maintain global momentum in pursuit of the Agenda 2030," he said.
He recalled that last year PAP had called on the African Union and its member states to initiate an intergovernmental process at the UN for establishing a UNPA and emphasized that the UN's 75th anniversary in 2020 would be "a good opportunity to put reform proposals such as a UNPA onto the agenda." "Now it is the right time to start preparing the ground for 2020," he stated.
On the occassion of Mr. Bummel's visit to PAP, bilateral meetings were held with PAP's President, Roger Nkodo Dang, and the Chairperson of PAP's Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution, Victor Hlatshwayo, among others.
Top image: The President of the Pan-African Parliament responds to questions after presenting an activity report, October 10, 2017, by PAP
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Smári McCarthy
The United Nations is the only true extant forum for global governance, but it is currently a forum that represents governments, not people. Democratic global governance is essential that includes opposition and minority opinions. All of humanity needs to be represented on a permanent and formal basis. A citizen-elected UN Parliamentary Assembly is a pragmatic step towards this goal and will help developing a true democratic and open world society.Shashi Tharoor
The United Nations needs to open its doors to elected representatives. The best way to achieve this is the creation of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly that would complement the General Assembly where the governments come together. I've been supporting this goal for a long time and congratulate the international campaign on its sustained efforts to make this a reality.Víctor Suárez
As President of the Permanent Commission on Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, I believe that we need to use our mandate from the congress to boost public policies that would give a voice to the world’s citizens and would work to the benefit of our peoples. For this reason I commit myself to advance the campaign for a UN Parliamentary Assembly both at the global level as well as from our region in the CaribbeanRepública Dominicana: La Comisión de Relaciones Exteriores de la Cámara de Diputados apoya la creación de una Asamblea Parlamentaria de Naciones Unidas
El apoyo por parte de la Comisión a la Campaña Internacional por una Asamblea Parlamentaria de Naciones Unidas fue anunciado por su Presidente, Víctor Suárez Díaz, mediante Twitter.
El diputado Víctor Suárez hablando frente a la Cámara de Diputados
El pasado 14 de Agosto, el Presidente de la Comisión de Relaciones Exteriores y Cooperación Internacional de la Cámara de Diputados de la República Dominicana, Víctor Suárez Díaz, anunció el apoyo por parte de la Comisión a la Campaña por la Asamblea Parlamentaria de Naciones Unidas, UNPA por sus siglas en inglés.
La creación de una Asamblea Parlamentaria de Naciones Unidas es promovida como una manera por la cual darle a los representantes electos un rol formal en la ONU, así como también, incrementar el carácter democrático de esta organización mundial. La misma es vislumbrada como un órgano complementario que represente a los ciudadanos del mundo en vez de a los gobiernos.
Víctor Suárez Díaz, miembro del partido oficialista PLD afirmó que “como Presidente de la Comisión Permanente de Relaciones Exteriores y Cooperación Internacional creo que es indispensable utilizar nuestro espacio desde el congreso para poder impulsar políticas públicas que den una voz a los ciudadanos del mundo y trabajen en beneficio de nuestros pueblos. Por esta razón, desde mi posición, me comprometo a colaborar con aquellas propuestas necesarias para impulsar la campaña por la UNPA tanto a nivel global como desde nuestra región del Caribe.”
Próximamente, la Comisión planea presentar una resolución de apoyo al plenario de la Cámara de Diputados. El apoyo expresado por el H.D Víctor Suárez Díaz es bienvenido por parte de la campaña por la UNPA.
“El llamado realizado por la Comisión de Relaciones Exteriores y Cooperación Internacional de la Cámara de Diputados de la República Dominicana en favor de la Campaña por la Creación de una Asamblea Parlamentaria de Naciones Unidas constituye un importante paso adelante hacia la democratización de la ONU y de todo el sistema global de gobernanza.” Expresó Fernando Iglesias, miembro del Comité Directivo de la Campaña por la UNPA y Presidente del Consejo del Movimiento Federalista Mundial.
El político argentino agregó: “Después de que hayan sido impulsadas resoluciones similares por parte del Parlamento Latinoamericano, el Parlamento del Mercosur y ambas Cámaras argentinas, la República Dominicana podría convertirse en la segunda nación caribeña/latinoamericana en apoyar la iniciativa de darle una verdadera voz a los ciudadanos del mundo. El hemisferio sur, donde la mayoría de ellos viven, pide por mayor transparencia, responsabilidad y democracia a escala global e internacional.”
El petitorio internacional de la campaña por la UNPA fue avalado a través de líneas partidarias por más de 1500 actuales y ex miembros parlamentarios de más de 120 países del mundo. Entre ellos, más de 20 avales provienen de la República Dominicana.
Recientemente, un taller con respecto a la UNPA fue llevado a cabo en la Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo.