 The Inter-Parliamentary Union's (IPU) Arab group agreed to include an emergency article in the agenda of the 114th meeting of the union, due later Sunday, to issue legislations that would ban desecration of religions.| Have to admit I've not heard of this group, but I suppose it's just another excuse for extra cousins to fly first class and pat themselves on the back. |
This came in a coordination meeting the group held Sunday on the sidelines of the conference, chaired by the head of the Arab Parliamentary Union, the Jordanian parliament speaker Abdulsalam Al-Majali, which was attended by speakers and members of Arab parliaments and members of the union. The Arab group decided to coordinate in this regard with Iran and Sweden for presenting similar proposals to be included with the Arab demand.The participants also approved the group's memorandum on the Palestinian parliamentarians detained in Israeli prisons.The Arab group also agreed on re-electing the current IPU secretary general, Anders B. Johnsson for a new term. Meanwhile, the Arab group will be supporting the request of the Qatari Shura Council to win a full membership in the IPU.| 'Cos an unelected council of holy men always need a seat set aside for them in otherwise elected Parliaments. |
The conference, which will be concluded next Friday, is expected to discuss the role of parliaments in tightening watch on small weapons and ammunition trade and on the role of parliaments in management of environment affairs and environment preservation efforts, in addition to discussions on countering violence against women and impact of local and international policies on status and conditions of women.| Making sure their Green and Red fellow travellers have a say. |
The IPU is the international organization of Parliaments of sovereign States. It was established in 1889. The union is the focal point for world-wide parliamentary dialogue and works for peace and co-operation among peoples and for the firm establishment of representative democracy. |