BAHRAIN has been described as an ‘oasis for peaceful coexistence and social tolerance’ by the world’s top Parliamentarian.
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) president Duarte Pacheco justified Bahrain’s selection to host the 146th Assembly of the IPU despite raised questions posed about its fledgling democratic experience dating back to 2002, by saying ‘it was perfect in all aspects’.
More than 1,700 parliamentarians and officials from 143 countries are in Bahrain to deliberate on a range of global and regional issues during the conference, themed ‘Promoting peaceful coexistence and inclusive societies: Fighting intolerance’.
“Bahrain shows to the whole world it is the right place for people of diverse cultures, ethnicities and backgrounds to live together in harmony,” he said during a media conference on the sidelines of the IPU’s assembly conference, which started yesterday and continues until Wednesday at the Exhibition World Bahrain in Sakhir.
“It is perfect in all aspects and what we have found here, or are finding currently, is what we should have across the world,” he added.
“The message from Bahrain matches the theme that we are all gathered under today and that’s peaceful coexistence and inclusive societies.
“All of us need to precisely understand the problems of the world and talk about them. Global problems can be only solved with global solutions.”
He believes that major issues can only be tackled if all parliamentarians work together.
“Whether it is poverty or climate change, or any other topic, there has to be a diagnostic approach in which the human voice prevails,” said Mr Pacheco.
“At this gathering there are no ‘left’ or ‘right’ MPs, or MPs from country A, B, C or D, and everyone has to respect the other as a unit.
“There is an IPU task force here to steer parliamentary dialogue between the Russian and Ukranian delegations as it is the only right way forward.”
Meanwhile, he explained that Bahrain would be an ideal place to host the main IPU assembly multiple times but, out of fairness, the caravan needed to go around the other 180 world member countries in turn.
“This doesn’t mean that we wouldn’t like to have certain IPU meetings held in Bahrain,” pointed out Mr Pacheco.
The assembly members are set to gather again later this year in Angola.
Mr Pacheco said IPU resolutions are recommendations not biding legislations.
“Countries that do not answer will be named on live feed screens so other members would see it and that’s the only way to ensure proper follow-up to resolutions,” he said.
“We understand that some are adoptable and some are not, depending on specifics of each country, we are here talking about general roadmaps.”
The delegates will discuss a range of topics, including combating cybercrime and terrorism, climate oversight and sustainable development.
All IPU statutory bodies, including the governing council, standing committees, panels on the human rights of parliamentarians and on Middle East questions, as well as the Forum of Women Parliamentarians and the Forum of Young MPs, will convene during this assembly.
The assembly will adopt resolutions on a number of items including cyberattacks and cyber-crimes as well as carbon balances of forests.
The five-day conference is expected to conclude with the adoption of an outcome document on the overall theme of the General Debate.
Also speaking, IPU secretary-general Martin Chungong described Bahrain as the most progressive in the region for women empowerment, gender equality and peaceful coexistence.
“When we came here a few days back there were banners across the country on International Women’s Day, which shows the country regards women highly,” he added.
Meanwhile, Shura Council first vice-chairman Jamal Fakhro said the assembly, hosted for the first time in Bahrain, was a ‘very important event’. “It will add a new milestone to Bahrain’s parliamentary work.”
Parliament first deputy Speaker Abdulnabi Salman echoed the sentiments saying that there was room for democracy to evolve naturally in Bahrain.
&uuid=(email))