TheParliamentarian

Journal of the Parliaments of the Commonwealth 2017 | Volume 98 | Issue One | Price £14

Conference Issue: 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference

PLUS ‘A Collaborative 62nd CPC: Spaces for Solidarity: 8th Commonwealth Commonwealth: Unity, Conference Engaging Effectively Youth Parliament Diversity and Common Workshops: with Freedom of #CYP8 in British Challenges’ Reports Religion or Belief Columbia, Canada PAGES 6-13 PAGES 20-64 PAGE 68 PAGES 72-76

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) exists to connect, develop, promote and support Parliamentarians and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance, and implement the enduring values of the Commonwealth.

Calendar of Forthcoming Events Confirmed as of 6 March 2017

2017

March

13 March Commonwealth Day 2017 – 2017 theme: A Peace-building Commonwealth

April

1 to 5 April IPU General Assembly, Dhaka, Bangladesh

25 to 27 April Mid-Year CPA Executive Committee Meeting 2017, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia

May

15 to 19 May International Professional Development Programme for Parliamentary Staff (Residency Seminar) - Montréal, Québec, Canada. For more information on this programme, please contact the CPA Secretariat at [email protected].

July

1 to 3 July CPA Post-Election Seminar for the Parliament of Tanzania, Dodoma, Tanzania

18 to 22 July Parliamentary Staff Development Workshop for the CPA Africa Region, Lusaka, Zambia

The publication of a Calendar of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) events is a service intended to foster the exchange of events and activities between Regions and Branches and the encouragement of new ideas and participation. Further information may be obtained from the Branches concerned or the CPA Secretariat. Branch Secretaries are requested to send notice of the main CPA events and conferences to [email protected] in advance of the publication deadline to ensure the Calendar is accurate.

Further information can also be found at www.cpahq.org or by emailing [email protected]. Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Email: [email protected] | Tel: +44 (0)20 7799 1460 | www.cpahq.org Twitter @CPA_Secretariat | Facebook.com/CPAHQ CONTENTS: THE PARLIAMENTARIAN CONTENTS 2017: ISSUE ONE

PAGES 6-13 PAGES 72-76 PAGES 20-64

PAGE 66

The Parliamentarian: COMMENT & CONFERENCE CONFERENCE PARLIAMENTARY Journal of the Parliaments Annual subscription of the Commonwealth SPEECHES NEWS WORKSHOPS REPORTS (four issues) Volume 98 th th UK: £44 inc. postage. 2017: Issue One Editor’s Note CPA Treasurer and Vice- There is a role for the The radicalisation of 35 CPA Small Branches 8 Commonwealth Worldwide: £46 surface post Page 4 The Parliamentarian Chairperson elected Commonwealth in young people and how Conference Youth Parliament £52 airmail Page 16 • Small Branches Session 1: The ISSN 0031-2282 fostering Freedom of we are dealing with this CYP8: ‘A Platform to Role of the Commonwealth in Opening address by Religion or Belief challenge throughout the Learn and a Platform Price per issue the CPA Chairperson Commonwealth Women Conference Workshop A Commonwealth Supporting the Outcomes of to Lead ’ Issued and published by th UK: £14 nd Page 20 Conference Workshop E the COP21 Paris Agreement on Reports from the 8 the Secretariat of the The opening of the 62 Parliamentarians (CWP) Worldwide: £15 surface post Page 32 Climate Change Commonwealth Youth Commonwealth Parliamentary Commonwealth Parliamentary Chairperson elected £16 airmail • Small Branches Session 2: Parliament hosted by the Association (CPA), CPA Conference Page 17 The role of the The role of Parliament in the Legislative Assembly of Secretariat, Suite 700, Page 6 Commonwealth The media plays a Disclaimer protection and safeguarding British Columbia, Canada Westminster House, New university in supporting the large role in promoting Opinions and comments of children by the Speaker and a youth 7 Millbank, London Keynote plenary by the accredited CPA outcomes of the COP21 public mistrust of expressed in articles and Parliamentarians • Small Branches Session 3: participant SW1P 3JA, United Kingdom CPA Secretary-General Fundamentals Paris Agreement on reviews published in The Conference Workshop F: Eliminating barriers to Page 72-76 Tel: +44 (0)20 7799 1460 ‘A Collaborative Commonwealth; Programme launched Climate Change Parliamentarian are those of Debate Topic women’s leadership in Fax: +44 (0)20 7222 6073 Unity, Diversity and Common Page 18 Conference Workshop B: Small the individual contributors and Page 35 politics in Small Branches Email: [email protected] Challenges’ Branches Topic Isle of Man celebrates should not be attributed to the Page 8 Page 23 Pages 56-64 www.cpahq.org CPA Small Branches th 150 years since first Secretariat of the Association. Chairperson elected 5 Commonwealth general election Mr Akbar Khan Speech by the Page 19 The role of Women Parliamentarians Spaces for Solidarity: Page 76 Contributors Secretary-General Commonwealth Parliamentarians in (CWP) Conference Engaging Effectively Thank you to all contributors • Speech by Rt Hon. Rebecca Secretary-General Society of Clerks-at- implementing and with Freedom of Parliamentary Report for this issue. A. Kadaga MP Mr Jeffrey Hyland Page 12 the-Table (SOCATT) monitoring policies Religion or Belief Featuring parliamentary • CWP Session 1: Violence Commonwealth Initiative for Editor, The Parliamentarian meetings relevant to the and legislative reports from Printed in: United Kingdom by and Intimidation of Women Freedom of Religion or Belief [email protected] Page 65 Sustainable Development Canada, New Zealand, Warners Midlands, PLC; CPA Conference during Elections (CIFoRB) event Goals (SDGs) United Kingdom, Australia, New Delhi, India by Jainco Art Photo Gallery • CWP Session 2: Parliament’s Page 68 Images: CPA Headquarters Images from the 62nd Commonwealth Conference Workshop C Sri Lanka and India India; and Singapore by Times role in raising awareness Secretariat editorial team and Commonwealth Parliamentary Parliamentary Page 26 Pages 77-99 Printers Private Limited. of political violence against Tobacco control and Nina Hollington Photography. Conference Association Lecture women and women’s equal effective parliamentary Pages 14-15 Series launched Ending violence against CPA Organisational Page 66 women and girls: The civil and political rights oversight (SDG3) Structure • CWP Session 3: Legislating United Nations Development Main Conference impact of social media CPA Executive Committee CPA Caribbean Regional and the internet in effectively to protect women Programme (UNDP) event Members, Commonwealth Group Photo from political violence Page 70 Pages 50-51 ‘Hot Topic’ Forum held perpetrating violence Women Parliamentarians Page 67 Conference Workshop D: • CWP Session 4: The Role of (CWP) Steering Committee Gender Topic Civil Society and the Media in Members and CPA Regional Page 29 Tackling Political Violence Secretaries Pages 38-55 Page 100

2 | The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue One The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue One | 3 EDITOR’S NOTE EDITOR’S NOTE

A COLLABORATIVE COMMONWEALTH: UNITY, DIVERSITY AND COMMON CHALLENGES

The Editor’s Note Commonwealth Parliamentarians focus on Secretariat with capturing the reports that feature what unites them to find global solutions at in this publication. 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference The Chairperson of the CPA International Over 400 Commonwealth Parliamentarians Executive Committee, Hon. Dr Shirin Sharmin from across the world gathered in London, United Chaudhury, MP, Speaker of the Parliament of Kingdom from 11 to 17 December 2016 for the Bangladesh, urged Commonwealth Parliamentarians 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference to work together to find common solutions to The Mistress of Ceremonies for the opening ceremony was Hon. Parliament’s House of Lords, Rt Hon. Baroness D’Souza CMG PC, (62nd CPC), hosted by the Commonwealth global issues as she opened the 62nd CPC. The Lindiwe Maseko, MP (South Africa) who welcomed all delegates who spoke of the Commonwealth’s enduring political values that bring Parliamentary Association (CPA) Headquarters Chairperson welcomed Parliamentarians from across before introducing the Commonwealth Youth Choir who performed challenges and opportunities for Commonwealth Parliamentarians. The Secretariat. the Commonwealth on behalf of the CPA at the both the Commonwealth Anthem and the Commonwealth Song theme for the new Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Lecture The Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference Jeffrey Hyland, Editor opening ceremony and said: “The Commonwealth under the conductorship of Simon Haw MBE, the Commonwealth Series is ‘The Promotion and Implementation of the Commonwealth’s is the annual conference of the Commonwealth The Parliamentarian, Parliamentary Association (CPA) provides a unique Music Ambassador 2016-2018. enduring political values - Challenges and Opportunities’. Please turn to Parliamentary Association (CPA). The unique Commonwealth platform for inter-parliamentary dialogue to take place. During the 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, there page 66 to read about the CPA’s inaugural lecture. conference brought together Speakers, Members Parliamentary Association The diverse nature of the membership provides the were a number of additional conferences and meetings including: CPA The United National Development Programme (UNDP) of Parliament and Parliamentary staff representing Commonwealth Parliamentary Association with a Executive Committee; CPA General Assembly and Society of Clerks- held a workshop event for Commonwealth Parliamentarians on the the nine regions of the CPA – Africa; Asia; unique position within the parliamentary community to at-the-Table (SOCATT) Meetings. UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Tobacco Control Australia; British Islands and Mediterranean; Canada; Caribbean, offer a comprehensive perspective on how to strengthen parliamentary The 5th triennial Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Frameworks and effective Parliamentary Oversight. Please turn to Americas and the Atlantic; India; Pacific and South-East Asia. democracy Commonwealth-wide and discuss new and innovative (CWP) Conference was held on 14 and 15 December 2016 with page 70 to read about the UNDP event. The CPA reaches all 52 countries of the Commonwealth as well approaches on how to do so.” To read the full text of the CPA over 100 Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians attending the A lunchtime event was held for Commonwealth Parliamentarians by as national, sub-national, devolved and territorial Parliaments and Chairperson’s opening speech at the 62nd CPC please turn to page 6. conference from 43 countries and 56 Commonwealth Parliamentary the Commonwealth Initiative for Freedom of Religion and Belief Legislatures bringing together over 180 CPA Branches of the The opening ceremony of the 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Branches across the Commonwealth. Reports of (CIFoRB) on Engaging Effectively with Freedom of Religion or Belief. Association. Conference heard from the Secretaries-General of the the CWP conference sessions can be found on pages 38 to 55. Please turn to page 68 to read about the CIFoRB event. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association organises its annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Commonwealth. The 35th CPA Small Branches Conference was held on 13 In addition to the reports of the 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) where global political The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary December 2016 with forty-seven Members of Parliaments and Conference, this issue of The Parliamentarian also reports on the 8th issues and developments in the parliamentary system are analysed Association, Mr Akbar Khan welcomed Commonwealth Legislatures from 26 CPA Small Branches attending the conference. Commonwealth Youth Parliament (#CYP8) which was hosted in conference debates among leading Parliamentarians representing Parliamentarians and delegates to the conference and said: “The The reports of this conference appear on pages 56 to 64. by the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in Canada from 6 Parliaments and Legislatures throughout the Commonwealth. These Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference strengthens our networks The Executive Committee of the CPA met ahead of the 62nd to 10 November 2016. Hon. Linda Reid MLA, Speaker of the plenary conferences were biennial from 1948 to 1959 and annual since and nurtures our shared Commonwealth democratic values. The fact Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in London, UK. The CPA Legislative Assembly of British Columbia reports on the events of 1961. A summary of the main views expressed in conference debates that the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association embodies diversity Executive Committee represents the nine regions of the CPA. The the 8th Commonwealth Youth Parliament and hosting over 60 young is published as the Conference Concluding Statement which is sent to yet shares values of democracy, rule of law and human rights, only serves Executive Committee is chaired by Hon. Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury participants representing the different regions of the Commonwealth Members, Commonwealth governments and international agencies. The to strengthen and deepen our unity. The need for the CPA to continue MP, Speaker of the Parliament of Bangladesh. During the 62nd CPC, a while Laura Elliot from Wales shares her experiences as a young following CPA Branches have hosted Commonwealth Parliamentary to strengthen its core programmatic work and to translate the practical meeting of the CPA Regional Secretaries also took place. participant in the CYP8. Conferences in recent years: 2014 Cameroon; 2013 South Africa; 2012 benefits of democratic governance to the peoples of the Commonwealth Alongside the substantive conference workshops and the CPA The Parliamentary Report and Third Reading section in this issue Sri Lanka; 2011 United Kingdom; 2010 Kenya; 2009 Tanzania; 2008 has never been greater.” To read the full text of the CPA Secretary- governance meetings, the 62nd CPC also saw a number of additional events. includes parliamentary and legislative news from Canada Federal, Malaysia; 2007 India. General’s keynote plenary at the 62nd CPC please turn to page 8. Delegates at the conference also had the opportunity to attend the Quebec, India, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Australia States The main conference theme for 2016 at the annual event held The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon. Patricia CPA Caribbean, Americas and the Atlantic Regional ‘Hot Topic’ and Territories and the Australia Federal Parliament. in London, United Kingdom was: A Collaborative Commonwealth: Scotland QC said: “The Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference Forum on the ‘hot topic’ of the region - ‘Seeking to Increase Women’s We look forward to hearing your feedback and comments on this Unity, Diversity and Common Challenges. Workshops and debates is like a beehive. It buzzes with pollinators whose work will result Political Participation’. The CPA Regional ‘Hot Topic’ Forum heard from issue of The Parliamentarian, on the issues of concern to Parliamentarians were held during the conference on a wide range of topics including in fruit throughout the Commonwealth. Thanks to Commonwealth a number of distinguished speakers. The CPA Regional ‘Hot Topic’ across the Commonwealth and to receive your future contributions. the role of the Commonwealth in fostering freedom of religion or Parliamentarians coming together, law reform and progressive social Forums bring together not only Commonwealth Parliamentarians, but Finally, we would like to wish all of our Members and readers a belief; ending violence against women and girls; the Sustainable and economic development are accelerated. Exchanges of knowledge also academics, students, civil society organisations and the wider happy Commonwealth Day 2017 on Monday 13 March. Please do Development Goals (SDGs); Climate Change; and the radicalisation and expertise lead to institutions of governance being strengthened, Commonwealth family. Please turn to page 67 to read about the CPA let us know about your celebrations of the day. of young people. Conference reports from all of the main workshops while respect and goodwill within the rich diversity of Commonwealth Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic Regional ‘Hot Topic’ Forum that took and sessions appear in this issue of The Parliamentarian and identity helps build a safer, more prosperous and more inclusive future place in the margins of the 62nd CPC. Jeffrey Hyland our thanks go to all of the Conference Rapporteurs from across for us all.” To read the full text of the Commonwealth Secretary- The inaugural Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Lecture Editor, The Parliamentarian the Commonwealth who have assisted the CPA Headquarters General’s speech at the 62nd CPC please turn to page 12. was held alongside the 62nd CPC with former Lord Speaker of the UK [email protected]

4 | The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue One The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue One | 5 A COLLABORATIVE A COLLABORATIVE COMMONWEALTH: UNITY, COMMONWEALTH: UNITY, DIVERSITY AND COMMON DIVERSITY AND COMMON CHALLENGES CHALLENGES

62nd COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE London, United Kingdom 11 to 17 December 2016

Opening Ceremony - 14 December 2016 A COLLABORATIVE COMMONWEALTH: UNITY, DIVERSITY AND COMMON CHALLENGES

The Chairperson of the CPA Executive Committee, Hon. Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury MP, Speaker of the Parliament of Bangladesh gave the opening address at the 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference.

part of working effectively Parliamentarians need to prospect of creating greater change, evolve and renew.” Master of Ceremony, commitment to uphold the programmes. It is about Each Commonwealth country towards achieving the common come together and join hands in opportunities for human The metaphor of water is Hon. Lindiwe Maseko, values of Commonwealth – addressing, identifying and at different stages in its own goals. charting out a bright future for development and social used here to show how each Commonwealth Secretary- democracy, development and facing the common challenges history and development, when it While it is important to the 60% of the Commonwealth inclusion, as well as the individual aligns with others to General, Rt Hon. Patricia diversity. together. comes together, it helps to build celebrate the diversity of that is the youth population. attainment of the Sustainable form streams. Streams then Scotland QC, Secretary- It is an aspiration to build a It is the diversity of a trust within the community, people, of culture, of experience It is time to unite to ensure Development Goals (SDGs) by merge to become rivers, which General of the Commonwealth collaborative Commonwealth experience that reflects the within the Commonwealth family and opinions, it is even more gender equality. It is for us, the 2030. have power and are movements. Parliamentary Association, – unity, diversity and common richness of Commonwealth. of nations, which is the integral important to be embracive and Parliamentarians to reckon Parliamentarians must act These rivers merge to create Honourable Speakers, Deputy challenges – echoed in the inclusive of this diversity that how democracy can deliver, in to transform and translate their oceans of great potential to Speakers, Honourable theme of this conference. leads to the unity of nations. combating emerging challenges commitments into actions and accomplish anything they set Parliamentarians, Honourable Collaboration is more than Valuing diversity is an integral posed by globalisation. ensure that democracy delivers their thoughts to. Members of the Executive hosting events together. It part of unity. Unity requires The changing pace of in an effectuating manner, I found a very interesting Committee of Commonwealth is about true exchange of acknowledging that people are globalisation is creating a new and there lies the relevance of definition of politics and I Parliamentary Association, ideas that can offer innovative different, countries are different; order of emerging economics, Commonwealth. would like to share that with distinguished delegates of 62nd solutions to our common they stand at different stages of technology and development. I would like to conclude with you. “Politics is a medium that CPC, media representatives, problems and challenges. development yet face common The intricate linkages between a quote by Robert A. Needham – takes place within language. It friends, colleagues, ladies and A collaborative challenges and can work national policies and its he’s the author of a book named is a matter of providing people gentlemen, a very good morning Commonwealth would therefore together. economy, including trade and ‘Collaborative Commonwealth’. with the linguistic and rhetorical to you all. denote accommodating diversity. The critical challenges of finance with that of global In his book he uses the concept abilities both to construct their I’m deeply honoured to be Diversity of people and culture is the eradication of poverty, markets have brought about of water. I quote; “the essence of past and imagine their future. It is here and to have the opportunity the strength as well as a source the elimination of equality, new dimensions. any great ocean, river or stream a language that gives us latitude, to speak before this august of wealth for us. ensuring food security, Issues related to energy begins with one drop. Drops an ability to adapt to changing gathering as the Chairperson Commonwealth is the adapting to climate change, crisis, the rapid evolution of come in all sizes, shapes and circumstances and create new of the Commonwealth platform to draw upon this disaster reduction and many technology, economic recession, forms – just like people. Each ones. How we apply it to new Parliamentary Association. We diversity and bridge the more need to be addressed peace and security issues and unique drop was created for a circumstances and conditions have all gathered here in London differences. A collaborative by Parliamentarians of all migration issues transcend purpose and so were you. This will be entirely up to us.” this winter morning to celebrate Commonwealth is therefore Commonwealth nations to national boundaries. purpose will change throughout Distinguished delegates, the inauguration of the 62nd about creating a common bring about positive changes Parliamentarians must the life of a drop which is called let the language of politics be Commonwealth Parliamentary platform to come together in the lives of 2.4 billion people, take account of changing emergence. Like you, water can collaborating with others to bring Conference (CPC). to explore diverse ideas nearly one third of the world’s economic patterns, deepening be used over and over again to about positive change. We bring with us a deep and opinions, policies and population. interdependence and the cause its environment to flourish,

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62nd COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE London, United Kingdom 11 to 17 December 2016

Opening Ceremony - 14 December 2016 A COLLABORATIVE COMMONWEALTH: UNITY, DIVERSITY AND COMMON CHALLENGES

Mr Akbar Khan, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association gave the keynote plenary at the 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference.

Master of Ceremony: her best wishes for a successful pursuit of the positive ideals of The fact that CPA embodies Honourable Lindiwe Maseko Conference. parliamentary democracy. diversity; yet shares values of MP; Madam Chairperson, Hon. The theme of this 62nd CPC is Distinguished delegates, in democracy, rule of law and Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury ‘A Collaborative Commonwealth: the Commonwealth, we have human rights, only serves to MP, Speaker of the Parliament Unity, Diversity and Common large and small States, island strengthen and deepen our democracy. The commitment be expected that from time to is a fundamental ingredient other words, they must put the of Bangladesh; Honourable Challenges’. This is indeed and landlocked, developed unity. to representative democracy is time there will be differences of to a healthy democracy. If public interest above all others. Officers of the Commonwealth pertinent as the CPA, the and developing - augmented As observed by Lord Howell,2 a distinctive core value of the opinion and on occasion, even Parliamentarians demonstrate This guidance is yet another Parliamentary Association; recognised parliamentary wing by an impressive array of civil a former British Minister of Commonwealth. Experience tells a breakdown in relationships, high standards of ethics and example of a collaborative Honourable Members of the of the Commonwealth, reaches societies, professional bodies the Commonwealth: “the us it takes time and nurturing but repeated violations of the conduct consistent with their Commonwealth identifying Commonwealth Parliamentary its 105th anniversary. and voluntary organisations all Commonwealth is a creation for democracy to take firm Commonwealth’s core political important public interest roles, unity in diversity to address Association International From its formation in 1911 forming our ‘Commonwealth of self- assembly… It … root. We know that democracy values pose a serious challenge it enhances public trust and the common challenge of Executive Committee; The as the Empire Parliamentary family’. Some will argue that leads to territory that [other] encompasses values of to democracy if unchecked. reinforces democracy. building public confidence Commonwealth Secretary- Association, to its evolution too much diversity can be organisations do not reach, responsibility and accountability Respect for the separation In this context last year, in our Parliaments and General, Rt Hon. Patricia as the Commonwealth destructive of cohesion - as and often cannot see. This is where citizens control the of powers and the independent the CPA developed the Parliamentarians. Scotland QC; Hon. Speakers, Parliamentary Association in not all differences can be held its power and its weakness. It political process. role of Parliament is crucial ‘Recommended Benchmarks The second area is youth. Presiding Officers, Clerks, 1948, the Association has together - and that some can is a truly vibrant global family of In recent times we have seen to the healthy functioning of for Codes of Conduct applying With approximately 60% of the Branch Secretaries and Heads steadily grown to approximately divide us. cultures, economies, societies two Commonwealth states democracy. to Members of Parliament’. Commonwealth’s 2.4 billion of Delegations; Members of the 180 branches representing Distinguished delegates, and political groups, far from withdraw from the organisation To quote the late Sir Winston Many CPA Branches have population under the age of 30, Diplomatic Corps; Distinguished national, state, provincial I would argue that some perfect but looking in the same amidst concerns of a democratic Churchill: “Democracy is the adopted these as a good we repeatedly see young people Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen. and territorial parliaments differences make for even direction.” deficit and human rights worst form of government, practice guide and are using being portrayed in the media as It is an honour and privilege and legislatures, with a total deeper unity. This may sound Distinguished delegates, the violations. There have been except all the others that have them to help tackle the public disengaged in politics. to welcome you to this 62nd membership in excess of counter-intuitive but as one question is: how can we use more instances of the separation been tried from time to time.” trust deficit in our Parliaments. From my own engagement Commonwealth Parliamentary 17,000 Parliamentarians. commentator1 has observed our shared values – the fact of powers being undermined His comment may well The Benchmarks for Codes with young people as Secretary- Conference in London. I am also This diversity of “[Everyone] knows that groups that we are all ‘looking in the and of powerful Executives have been prescient, as the of Conduct state clearly that General, my observation is delighted that we are joined here Commonwealth legislatures don’t have to become identical same direction’ to overcome ignoring or seeking to use overwhelming evidence today as public officers, Members that young people, far from today by the Commonwealth inspired by the Westminster to each other in order to [work the challenges of our time that Parliament simply as a ‘rubber shows that a healthy democracy of Parliament have a fiduciary being disinterested in politics, Secretary General. model of parliamentary harmoniously] together. In fact, it face today’s parliamentary stamp’ and where members generally means a stronger relationship with their citizens on are increasingly engaged with Let me also thank Her democracy is underpinned is often precisely the differences community? Given the limited of the Executive do not attend economy, higher standard of whose behalf they act and they issues of relevance to their lives Majesty The Queen, the by a shared commitment to that make their [relationship] time, let me just touch on three Parliament in order to avoid living and better human rights are entrusted with responsibility and are politically active across Patron of the Commonwealth the rule of law and individual more interesting and more areas. being held to account. records. Equally, the public’s to protect and uphold the social media and other networks. Parliamentary Association, for rights and freedoms, and by the enduring.” The first is backsliding on As with any ‘family’ it is to trust in its representatives common interest of citizens. In The challenge is for

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62nd COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE London, United Kingdom 11 to 17 December 2016

Opening Ceremony - 14 December 2016

Parliaments to adapt to be one is left behind. meet common challenges and As such, this year we have more accessible, open and In practice, this means to create a gender equal and launched a revised CPA transparent to all citizens Parliaments ensuring a diverse inclusive Commonwealth. Headquarters Secretariat work including actively engaging composition and achieving As Her Majesty The Queen, programme and I would like to young people through greater equality of participation. noted in her Commonwealth share some highlights with you: outreach and the use of digital Although the Commonwealth message this year: “the • The CPA Roadshow technology. Charter recognises gender willingness to share, to exchange was launched in March This speaks to the need for equality and women’s and to act for the common 2016 to connect young Parliaments to work harder empowerment as essential good and by working together; people with their elected to capture the views of young components of human we lay the foundations of a representatives to discuss people about political issues development and basic human harmonious and progressive diversity, development that are of importance to rights, we continue to see across society. The greater the diversity and democracy. The CPA them. Many Commonwealth the Commonwealth measures of those included in such shared Roadshow has now reached Parliaments are stepping of low representation of enterprise, the greater the gains.” over 8,000 young people up to this challenge through women in Parliaments. In some Distinguished delegates, I across the Commonwealth. responsive parliamentary Parliaments we have no women have been Secretary-General for • In November 2016, we Distinguished delegates, Association, Hon. Shirley Last but not least, I our networks and nurtures outreach - including internship at all. just under one year. It has been inaugurated the Regional before closing, I wish to take Osborne MLA, Speaker of wish to recognise the CPA our shared Commonwealth programmes, local youth Recent 2016 figures a privilege getting to understand ‘Hot Topics’ Forum in the this opportunity to mark my the Montserrat Legislative Headquarters Secretariat staff democratic values. parliaments and the Universities from UN Women show that the Association; listening CPA Asia Region hosted by deep respect and appreciation Assembly, and to outgoing members and several branch Model Parliament. Such valuable although the number of Women to the views of Branches to the Parliament of Pakistan, to the late Hon. Request Members of the Executive volunteers from across the References collaborative initiatives help to Parliamentarians has nearly better serve our membership. focussing on ‘Democracies Muntanga, former Member of Committee. Over the past year, Commonwealth for all their 1 Dr Peter Bouteneff: ‘Unity bolster and promote the ideals doubled in the last 20 years, Like any organisation that in transition and the the Parliament of Zambia, who their individual and collective hard work in preparing for in Diversity: Opportunities and of parliamentary democracy for this only translates to 22% of has stood the test of time, it is challenges they face’. sadly passed away earlier this commitment to supporting the this conference. Without their the Challenges’ [text in brackets future generations. women in national Parliaments important to continually adapt • At this conference, we will year. A strong advocate of the Association has been invaluable. commitment and dedication, we substituted for the original] The third area is gender today. to the changing needs of our roll out a further strand of Association, he shared his vast I wish to thank the Hon. would not be here. 2 Lord Howell: ‘Old links and equality. Earlier this year, I However, there is reason to membership and to demonstrate work. the Commonwealth experience as a Parliamentarian Chairperson, Co-ordinating Finally, I wish you all an New ties’ heard a Clerk from one of our remain optimistic. The work of relevance, added value and good Parliamentary Association with the CPA, including as CPA Committee and Executive enjoyable and productive legislatures describe Parliament the Commonwealth Women governance. Lecture Series; and Treasurer, Executive Committee Committee for their guidance conference which strengthens as a “microcosm of society”. Parliamentarians has been The need for the CPA to • In February 2017, we Member and Trustee. He is and patience during the past Democratic Parliaments gain impressive in supporting greater continue to strengthen its core will launch the flagship fondly remembered by us all. year as we set the Association their legitimacy from their ability female representation through: programmatic work and to programme ‘Parliamentary I also wish to express my on the road to renewal and to represent all the citizens in • inter-generational translate the practical benefits Fundamentals’ – comprising appreciation to the outgoing reinvigoration. The support, their country whether minorities, conferences that of democratic governance to the two accredited professional Commonwealth Women advice and wise counsel of those with disabilities, women, encourage young women peoples of the Commonwealth development courses on Parliamentarians (CWP) the Regional Secretaries and and the young and old alike. seeking a more active role has never been greater. parliamentary governance Chairperson, Rt Hon. Rebecca Branch Secretaries to me Only through respect in political life; In this context permit me to in association with McGill Kadaga, Speaker of the Uganda over this past year has been for genuine diversity and a • Raising important issues express my sincere thanks to University, Canada and the Parliament. Her leadership invaluable – I am incredibly willingness to include and like political violence all the vibrant CPA Branches University of Witwatersrand, over the past three years in grateful to each of you. embrace different points against women; and that have so generously and South Africa. These promoting gender equality I also wish to express my of view can equitable and • Mentoring programmes warmly welcomed me this year. are unique courses, and female representation in sincere gratitude the Hon. inclusive outcomes be achieved to strengthen and inspire I have been humbled by their accredited for the first time Parliament has greatly enhanced Speakers of CPA Cayman for all. This is especially female Parliamentarians. kindness and strengthened in for the Commonwealth the CWP across all our regions Islands and Malaysia Branches important as Commonwealth my resolve to quicken the pace Parliamentary Association of the Commonwealth. for demonstrating their parliamentarians consider Commonwealth Women of reform and renewal at the and demonstrate the I also wish to express my commitment to the Association how best to implement the Parliamentarians is an excellent CPA Headquarters to ensure pioneering and enduring appreciation to the outgoing by offering to host the CPC in post-2015 UN Sustainable example of collaboration the CPA is truly fit for the 21st spirit of our Association. Vice-Chairperson of the their respective jurisdictions, for Development Goals so that no leveraging unity in diversity to century. Commonwealth Parliamentary this we are profoundly thankful.

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62nd COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE seventeen Sustainable Development different and has specific local Goals is that in the latter partnership needs and context, yet there are London, United Kingdom each has its own separate goal, many similarities, and there are also 11 to 17 December 2016 whereas we see it as being an very deep connections between enabling factor and an integral part our peoples and between the to each of our Charter ambitions. institutions which we serve. We can Opening Ceremony - 14 December 2016 The way we work together has help each other by the really good always been in partnership, to deliver all things that do work, so partnerships A COLLABORATIVE COMMONWEALTH: UNITY, of those aspirations. So partnership is with a judiciary, prosecutors, police, one of the five P’s that encompasses national human rights institutions, DIVERSITY AND COMMON CHALLENGES all that we seek to achieve in the international agencies and civil 2030 Agenda for Sustainable society organisations – all vital to the The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland QC gave an address Development and all that we work for work that we do. In terms of value at the opening ceremony of the 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference. as a Commonwealth family. for money, benefit for our citizens by helping to support each and every of us to use it, to refer to it often in The five P’s are People, Planet, and the improvement of business Good morning. Master of collaborate as Members of the in troubled and troubling times. that the four corners of the world one of our nation states. our speeches, in what we say and Prosperity, Peace and Partnership environments and efficiency, there is Ceremonies, Hon. Maseko; Hon. CPA and it lies right at the very Friction, misunderstanding, distrust, meet in our family, and the history So I address you as your to make sure those we represent and it’s not my intention, you’ll be a distinctive contribution that only the Chairperson of the CPA, Dr core of all that the Commonwealth disharmony. More difficult and more that has bound us together has Commonwealth Secretary-General know all about it. We need to foster pleased to know, to go through all of Commonwealth can make. Shirin Chaudhury, Speaker of is means and does. One of the complex than perhaps ever before, allowed us to know each other. To but I also can never forget that at heart and cultivate a stronger sense those today but I know that they are Yet what we achieve in the the Parliament of Bangladesh; greatest pleasures I had sitting and that interconnectedness – the know and to understand. I have and always will be a lawyer, and of Commonwealth identity and imprinted on each of our hearts. And Commonwealth can be copied by Secretary-General Akbar on the platform, I have to tell you, fact that something that happens Just like any other family, there so I have been like many of you, also awareness so that others can I just want to say a little if I may about others more widely, so there is so Khan; Honourable Speakers, is just looking at all of you, and to in one part of our world can trigger will be times when there will be a Parliamentarian and I hope that to draw the same inspiration and how you can use your influence to much for us to do and I’m conscious Parliamentarians, distinguished me I have to confess you all look a reaction so quickly in other parts irritations and difficulties, but it my last breath, I shall be a campaigner encouragement that we all feel when raise the profile and make more of our that there’s much for us to talk about guests; Commonwealth friends. pretty beautiful. Why? - is something that we are all now always comes back to the fact that for social change, particularly working we come together about belonging precious Commonwealth inheritance. and I have to assure you that I’ve I am absolutely delighted to stand Because I see reflected in grappling with. Allegiances are they are part of our family. We have for the inclusion of women and to put to this remarkable global family. Just in terms of wealth, I think you probably got about another 20 pages before you today and even more all your faces a mirror of our shifting, links are fracturing. loved each other for a long time, an end to domestic violence, and to Things happen when CPA all know that, just by Commonwealth that I could share, but something tells delighted to be on a panel with so Commonwealth family – different So the world is looking for in good times and in bad, and that create a better protective system for Members come together that countries working together on trade me that I will be much more liked if I sit many remarkable women, and I just colours, different shapes, different greater stability; they’re looking for strength of understanding, that all of our children. happens nowhere else – not we have a 19% Commonwealth down really fast! want us to note that this may be the sizes, different cultures – people the familiar, the trusted, the known, strength of community and that And the Commonwealth will least the laughter, and we need to advantage – cheaper, easier and So we have an opportunity to share first Commonwealth Parliamentary of faith and those of none, and we and there like a diamond, lurking at strength of family is something that I always, I believe, be a pioneer cultivate that – that stronger sense faster. How are we going to grab hold best practice, we have an opportunity Conference in 62 years where you represent one third of the world, the bottom of a trunk that people think we should really treasure. for ways of doing things that of identity, that stronger sense of that and make it work better? to talk together. I hope that we will really have the Master of Ceremonies and what the world sees mirrored haven’t looked at very often, there Which is why I have said so are innovative, collaborative and of awareness, so that others can I want us to just harvest that work hard during this conference, and as a woman; the Chairperson as in our faces is themselves, and so is the Commonwealth. Its value many times and will say again - we above all inclusive. Indeed our emulate what we have. And we spirit of goodwill – that there are with the wealth of experience and a woman; the Secretary-General every time we come together, we is enhanced by the passage of now have to put the ‘wealth’ back Commonwealth theme for this year must value it and cherish it, not as an also many practicalities that make it expertise that I see assembled in this of the CPA still a man; and the collaborate, we think, we share, we time - not dimmed, not diminished. into ‘Commonwealth’ and the is ‘An Inclusive Commonwealth’. heirloom but as a matchless asset possible, swiftly and collaboratively, very room that we will build on the vast Commonwealth Secretary listen to each other and we strive to The light of that diamond with ‘common’ back into ‘wealth’, and We bring this to bear in the way and great resource of strength and to get straight to the nub of the reserves of goodwill, and that we’ll General, I think a woman. So the understand, we do something that the fractions dancing, with all the we’re not just talking about financial we work together on the rule of cooperation in this very fragile world. matter when it is considered within animate the Commonwealth, and that Commonwealth is leading the way. the rest of the world needs us to do. different colours and cultures and wealth. We’re talking about the law, democracy and many aspects The sixteen articles of the a Commonwealth setting and by change will happen. I want to also say thank you to I think it is really important that we experiences of our Commonwealth, people who are our real gold – to of development needed in all of Charter ranging from democracy Commonwealth partners. In fact I have a feeling that before each and every one of you, not just take a moment to just think about the its value enhanced, treasured. strengthen that social dynamic; to our citizens, if they are to enjoy the through to tolerance, respect and We really have to capitalise on our the conference closes your theme for being here today, but having role that has been entrusted to each It is time for us to look again plot and plan together to work out benefits of a fair and sustainable understanding for gender equality shared inheritances of common law might become ‘Unity, Diversity and the courage, the fortitude, the of you and those of us who have because our Commonwealth has to what works, but just as importantly social and economic progress. and young people prefigure which forms the basis for international Common Solutions’. I wish you determination and the desire to carried that burden of responsibility deliver for that 60% of young people to share with one another that In many areas of life of vital the seventeen Goals of the law, and on the other factors such well. I know the genius in this room represent the 2.4 billion people of of being Parliamentarians in the past; who are under the age of 30 and which does not work. If one member importance to our citizens, we work 2030 Agenda for Sustainable as the similarity of institutions and has the ability to change the face our beloved Commonwealth. because you are the link between who do not yet know each other. Yet of the Commonwealth family for change – all of us in this hall Development, whereby we seek to interoperability of systems that of the Commonwealth, and I’m Very rarely do Parliamentarians the government and the people – they will depend on each other in the spends one penny to do something recognise that through the mutual achieve three extraordinary things in combine to give our Commonwealth looking forward to celebrating and get the thanks and the reward that owing your position to having been future and our Commonwealth way and we make sure that no other support and encouragement of the the next 15 years. To end extreme distinctiveness and advantage. rejoicing everything you do, and they truly deserve for that courage elected, securing a majority, or having is always to see the bigger picture. To Commonwealth member has to Commonwealth connection and poverty; to fight inequality and I have announced that we will hoping that this will be the start of and for that determination to been appointed - and yet you have a share the concern and the welfare spend the same penny and that its distinctive strength as a network injustice; and to fix climate change. be setting up an Office of Civil one of the most exciting and creative represent those who may not have duty to those who appointed you and of others, particularly the vulnerable. they will spend a different one, so of networks, valuable knowledge These goals, adopted a year and Criminal Justice Reform. This opportunities for the Commonwealth a voice. So for all of those who have elected you and those who did not; to So by understanding that we all that our collaboration will strengthen is shared and much more can be ago, match the ambitions of our is really for us to share templates that there has yet been. never thanked you, and particularly enact laws which regulate, but at the have something to contribute, the our understanding and help us achieved than if we try to do it only Commonwealth Charter and our for legislative reform and the So thank you for being here, for those who never will thank same time you have a duty to defend recognition of the richness that each better support the people that we all on our own. 52 member countries collectively implementation of best practice, thank you for the work you’ve done you, I as Secretary-General of the those freedoms and liberties which can bring and the opportunity to individually serve. Our shared concerns and the are committed to working on to strengthen public safety and before coming, but thank you for the Commonwealth am thanking you are so precious and so challenged. learn together that it is by consensus And it’s a great privilege and a approaches that we adopt in tackling them together in the spirit of help show what has or, just as work you will do as a result of being from the bottom of my heart. The truth is the burden on rather than confrontation that more pleasure for me that I have been them are now brought together in goodwill and mutual support. The importantly, has not worked in our together which you would not have This conference has many Parliamentarians has never will be achieved. entrusted with helping to support you the Commonwealth Charter and I difference between our sixteen Commonwealth jurisdictions. done if you’d stayed on your own. strands of work of which you been greater, because we live It is unique in the Commonwealth all throughout the Commonwealth, would really encourage each one Commonwealth articles and the Each of our jurisdictions is Thank you very much.

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Images from the 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference: A selection of images from the conference appear on these pages. For more images from the conference please visit the CPA Flickr Website at www.cpahq.org/cpahq/flickr where you can view, share and download images. The main group image of delegates from the conference appears on pages 50-51. Images: CPA Headquarters Secretariat and Nina Hollington Photography

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ND NEWS FROM THE 62 COMMONWEALTH Newly elected Commonwealth The CWP Women Parliamentarians (CWP) network provides a PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE Chairperson pledges to increase means of building women’s political participation the capacity of women elected to The newly elected Chairperson of the Commonwealth parliament to be Women Parliamentarians (CWP), Hon. Dato’ Noraini Ahmad more effective in MP (Malaysia) has pledged to renew the effort to increase their roles; improving women’s political participation across the Commonwealth. the awareness The new Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women and ability of all New CPA Treasurer and Vice-Chairperson elected at the 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentarians was elected for a three-year term at the Parliamentarians, Parliamentary Conference CWP Business Meeting at the fifth triennial conference of the male and female, Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), which took and encouraging During the 62nd CPA General Assembly which took place at the 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, Members of the place in London, United Kingdom as part of the wider 62nd them to include a CPA endorsed the appointment of Hon. Vicki Dunne, MLA, Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the Australian Capital Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in December 2016. gender perspective Territory as the new CPA Treasurer. The Treasurer, who is a Member of the Association nominated by the Executive Committee, The new Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women in all aspects of their role - legislation, oversight and is elected for three years by the General Assembly and works with Parliamentarians (CWP), Hon. Dato’ Noraini Ahmad MP is a representation - and helping parliaments to become gender- the CPA Secretary-General and the CPA Headquarters Secretariat Member of Parliament from Malaysia whose political career sensitive institutions. to monitor the finances of the Association. The CPA Treasurer also began in 2000 as the Secretary-General of the Young The outgoing Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women joins the Trustees board of the Association. Women’s Wing, who was later elected to lead the movement Parliamentarians was Rt Hon. Rebecca Kadaga MP, Prior to being appointed as the CPA Treasurer, Hon. Vicki Dunne in 2004. Hon. Dato’ Noraini Ahmad MP was first elected as a Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda who held the position MLA had been the Acting CPA Treasurer since July 2016 following Member of Parliament in 2008, representing the constituency since her election in 2013. Rt Hon. Rebecca Kadaga MP the passing of the late Hon. Request Muntanga and had also of Parit Sulong. She has served as Deputy Minister of the worked tirelessly in promoting inter-regional cooperation previously been a Regional Representative for the Australia Region Human Resource Ministry and is currently the Chair of among members of the CWP. She had established a CWP on the CPA Executive Committee (2013-2016). Malaysian Trade Malaysia External Trade Development strategy, which led to many activities, geared towards the The 62nd General Assembly was followed by the new CPA Corporation (MATRADE). strengthening of Women Parliamentarians across the CPA’s Executive Committee during which Hon. Emilia Monjowa Lifaka, In the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Hon. nine regions; and convened at the CWP Conference women MP, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Cameroon and a Dato’ Noraini Ahmad MP was a Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth to discuss Regional Representative for the CPA Africa Region was elected by Members of the Executive Committee to the position of Vice- Parliamentarians (CWP) Steering Committee Member the key issue of ‘Political Violence Against Women’. Chairperson of the CPA Executive Committee. The position of Vice-Chairperson is for a term of one year. until 2013 and was the CPA South-East Asia Regional Under CPA election rules only female delegates to the 62nd Representative on the CPA International Executive Committee. Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference could take part in The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth the vote to elect a new CWP Chairperson. There were four Right: Members of Parliamentary Association, Mr Akbar Khan said: “I very much candidates for the position of CWP Chairperson: Hon. Dato’ the CPA Executive look forward to working with Hon. Dato’ Noraini Ahmad MP Noraini Ahmad MP (Malaysia); Hon. Linda Reid MLA (British Committee pictured (Malaysia), the new CWP Chairperson during the next three Columbia, Canada); Ms Joyce Watson AM (Wales); and Ms before the 62nd years and wish her all the very best in this important role.” Poto Williams MP (New Zealand). Commonwealth The Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Following the election of the new Chairperson of the Parliamentary is the network of women Members of the Commonwealth Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), the Steering Conference when Parliamentary Association’s Parliament and Legislatures. Committee of the CWP, representing all nine regions of the they held a series of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association governance meetings (CPA), met to elect Ms Poto Williams MP for the Commonwealth (New Zealand) as the new Vice Chairperson Parliamentary for the Commonwealth Women Association. Parliamentarians (CWP) to serve for one year. The new Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), Hon. Dato’ Noraini Ahmad MP (Malaysia) was congratulated by three Links from the 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference: former CWP Chairpersons (pictured left) - Rt Hon. Rebecca Kadaga MP (Uganda), CPA Flickr Images Albums: For images of the 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference please visit: Hon. Alix Boyd Knights MHA (Dominica) www.cpahq.org/cpahq/flickr and Hon. Lindiwe Maseko, MP (South Africa). CPA Videos: Highlights of the opening ceremony of the 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference and other videos of conference events can be found at the CPA Secretariat YouTube channel: www.cpahq.org/cpahq/youtube

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ND NEWS FROM THE 62 COMMONWEALTH Newly elected Small Branches parliaments, yet Chairperson speaks of the pressing big enough to be PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE need of small legislations within the influential. Speaker Commonwealth to come together Farrugia also to address common difficulties and encouraged fellow strengths and share experiences of Parliamentarians their parliaments to be leaders in understanding The newly elected Chairperson of the CPA Small Branches, their citizens and Hon. Anġlu Farrugia MP pledged that the Commonwealth advocate in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association comprising online modules as well as face-to-face contact Parliamentary Association (CPA) would have a strengthened best interest of launches new university accredited sessions on-site with our partner universities. This programme and renewed focus on assisting Small Branches and their their countries, CPA Parliamentary Fundamentals aims to develop well-informed, skilled parliamentary leaders, Parliaments and Legislatures. both locally and Flagship Programme for Commonwealth who will go on to contribute to creating strong democratic The Members of the CPA attending the 35th CPA Small on multilateral Parliamentarians legislatures that adhere to principles of good governance. Branches Conference in December 2016 unanimously levels, especially The unique CPA Fundamentals Programme focusing acclaimed the Speaker of the House of Representatives in contemporary The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) on Parliamentary Practice and Procedure has two main of the Parliament of Malta as the new Chairperson of Small challenges such as youth unemployment, and the ever- advances parliamentary democracy by enhancing knowledge courses, with one course specifically developed for CPA Branches. The role of Chairperson of Small Branches is a new increasing importance of combatting terrorism. and understanding of democratic governance, and by Small Branches. The CPA works closely with Small Branches Officer role for the CPA and the new incumbent will sit on the Hon. Anġlu Farrugia MP is the Speaker of the House of building an informed parliamentary community, capable of (jurisdictions of less than 500,000 people) in all Regions of CPA International Executive Committee to bring a voice for Representatives of the Parliament of Malta and he was first deepening the Commonwealth’s democratic commitment and the Commonwealth to identify their particular needs and Small Branches to the governing body of the CPA. elected to the Parliament of Malta in 1996. He has held co-operation among its Parliaments and Legislatures. requirements in parliamentary strengthening, development In his acceptance remarks, the newly elected Chairperson of many positions including Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, To further this objective, the CPA launched its pioneering and cooperation. CPA Small Branches, Hon. Anġlu Farrugia MP expressed his Chairman of the Standing Committee for the Consideration flagship programme - the CPA Fundamentals Programme The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth gratitude towards the other CPA Small Branches, which have of Bills and Member of the Privileges Committee before on Parliamentary Practice and Procedure - at the 62nd Parliamentary Association, Mr Akbar Khan said: “The new shown trust in electing him as Chairperson. Speaker Farrugia being elected as Speaker in 2013. Hon. Farrugia currently Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference. CPA Fundamentals Programme on Parliamentary Practice spoke about the pressing need of small legislations within represents the CPA British Islands and Mediterranean Region This is the first course of its kind and through the new and Procedure, which launched at the 62nd Commonwealth the Commonwealth to come together, within their ‘smallness’ on the Standing Committee of the Conference of Speakers CPA Fundamentals programme, the CPA aims to assist Parliamentary Conference, will further the aims of the CPA in to address common difficulties and strengths and share and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (2016-2018). Commonwealth Parliaments in building the capacity of their advancing parliamentary democracy by enhancing knowledge experiences of their parliaments or legislative assemblies. The election of the new Chairperson of Small Branches newly-elected and returning Parliamentarians, by equipping and understanding of democratic governance. We are Speaker Farrugia stated that as a state in the took place at the 35th CPA Small Branches Conference held them with: especially honoured to be working alongside two prestigious Commonwealth, among other small countries, Malta has in London, United Kingdom as part of the 62nd Commonwealth • Greater depth of knowledge of parliamentary practice and Commonwealth universities to provide this flagship programme learnt to appreciate the strengths of bring a small country: Parliamentary Conference. Forty-seven Members of procedure for our Membership and I’m delighted that we have a course being flexible enough to be able to work with other Parliaments and Legislatures from 26 CPA Small Branches • Increased in-depth and practical knowledge based on specifically for CPA Small Branches.” attended the conference. accepted theories and international good practices The CPA is be working alongside two Commonwealth Of the over 180 Branches of the • An accredited qualification from an internationally universities to provide this flagship programme. The CPA CPA, forty-three Branches are classified recognised university that will benefit participants for life Fundamentals course is provided to Commonwealth as ‘Small Branches’ which are defined during and after Parliament. Parliamentarians in partnership with University of as jurisdictions having a population The programme is interactive and comprehensive, Witwatersrand in South Africa. The specialised CPA below 500,000 people. The CPA Fundamentals course for CPA Small Branches is delivered to Headquarters Secretariat works closely Commonwealth Parliamentarians from CPA Small Branches with Small Branches in all Regions of in partnership with McGill University in Canada, in the form of the CPA to identify their unique needs the Professional Development Certificate in Parliamentary and requirements in parliamentary Governance. strengthening, development and cooperation. The CPA Parliamentary Fundamentals Flagship Programme is now available and any newly elected or returning Commonwealth Parliamentarians interested in these programmes should contact the CPA Commonwealth Parliamentary Headquarters Secretariat via email [email protected]. Association Small Branches For more information about the work of the CPA in Small Branches Left: The CPA Secretary-General, Mr Akbar Khan and Dr Judith visit www.cpahq.org or contact the Potter, Dean of the McGill University, School of Continuing Studies CPA Headquarters Secretariat via in Canada sign a partnership agreement to deliver the CPA [email protected]. Fundamentals Programme for CPA Small Branches.

18 | The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue One The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue One | 19 A COLLABORATIVE A COLLABORATIVE COMMONWEALTH: UNITY, COMMONWEALTH: UNITY, DIVERSITY AND COMMON DIVERSITY AND COMMON CHALLENGES CHALLENGES

62nd COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE resolve the conflicts between prohibits religious discrimination. religions or beliefs. The rights defined in the London, United Kingdom Hon. Umar Buba Jibril, MP Constitution cannot supersede 11 to 17 December 2016 (Nigeria) led the discussion by the interests of defense, public explaining that Muslims and safety, order, morality or health, Christians continue to fear or protecting the rights of others. Conference Workshop A - 15 December 2016 discrimination or abuse based on Finally, Hon. Umar Buba their religious affiliation. Muslim Jibril, MP pointed out that and Christian leaders reported violence related to religions or that a lack of trust between beliefs is spreading out in many members of two faiths continued countries, such as Fiji, Nigeria THERE IS A ROLE FOR THE as a result of the ongoing conflict and Pakistan; and the CPA may in the northeast of the country. help to mediate with the proper Some Muslims or Christians who mechanisms, mainly through COMMONWEALTH IN FOSTERING converted to another religion capacity building. reportedly faced threats and Baroness Berridge (United Is Myanmar’s identity this conflict situation for human ostracism by adherents of their Kingdom) said that she joined becoming synonymous with trafficking. It might also be worth FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF former religion. with others in celebrating the being Buddhist? The Rohingya mentioning how discerning the Communities sometimes Magna Carta, which opens with Muslims are denied citizenship United Kingdom customer can stigmatized those who did not the words: “the English Church in this country and an outcry be and how sensitive brands like believe in the existence of a shall be free”, meaning free from by Buddhist extremists led the Marks & Spencer can be when divine being. For example, some state intervention, which at that Government to capitulate and they source products from many Moderator: Workshop Report: belief with another or to adopt building refers to the study of secular humanists reported that time in history, of course, meant confiscate their only identity manufacturers in Vietnam and Hon. Vicki Dunne, MLA, Freedom of religion or belief is a atheistic views.” Signatories to religion’s role in the development they felt the need to hide their free from the King. document. Therefore, I would Cambodia. Deputy Speaker of the fundamental human right of the the convention are barred from of peace. Scholars generally identities and feign religious Freedom of religion or belief, highlight that no religion should The digital revolution could people. In a country with a state “the use of threat of physical force accept that religion has been, at devotion to avoid threats of as set out in Article 18 of the be given the foremost status in create further Article 18 Legislative Assembly religion, freedom of religion is or penal sanctions to compel different points in history, both violence. International Covenant on Civil any state. violations. According to a report (Australian Capital generally considered to mean believers or non-believers” to advantageous and ruinous to the Many religious leaders and Political Rights, and the The UN Special Rapporteur in The Economist, by 2020 80% Territory) that the government permits recant their beliefs or convert. promotion of peace. publicly supported tolerance and Oslo Declaration on Freedom visited the United Kingdom in of adults will have a smartphone religious practices of other faiths Despite this, minority religions Religious pluralism is an attitude interfaith methods of conflict of Religion or Belief was 2014 and found serious Article that is able to receive different and sects besides the state still are persecuted in many parts or policy regarding the diversity of resolution. Some religious adopted in 1998 to be given 18 violations and “credible religious messages that Discussion Leaders: religion, and does not persecute of the world. religious belief systems co-existing leaders reported that distrust the highest priority. As the UN information that some individuals either the state or religious • Hon. Umar Buba Jibril, believers in other religions. in society. The plurality of religious between Christian and Muslim Special Rapporteur illustrated whom I wanted to meet with leaders will scarcely be able to On 25 November 1981 the Religion, Belief and Peace traditions and cultures has come to communities and discord among in his comments to Baroness had been either under heavy control. Will many more people MP (Nigeria) ‘Declaration on the Elimination Building characterize every part of the world groups within the same faith Berridge: “There is lots of religion surveillance, warned, intimidated, start switching faith or start • Baroness Berridge of All Forms of Intolerance and Delegates at the conference today. Today, religious diversity is a tradition could threaten interfaith in Vietnam but not a lot of it is harassed or prevented from challenging existing political and (United Kingdom) of Discrimination Based on workshop discussed the role for given, but pluralism is not a given; efforts. free.” The declaration is founded travelling by the police.” religious power structures? Religion or Belief’ was passed the Commonwealth in fostering it is an achievement. Mere diversity Muslim leaders regularly on individuals enjoying human The Human Rights Watch Baroness Berridge spoke • Hon. Dr Ramesh in the United Nations General freedom of religion or belief without real encounters and publicly condemned the rights when the state knows Report: Persecuting ‘Evil of the need to monitor what Kumar Vankwani, MP Assembly. This declaration and they also examined how relationships will yield increasing activities of Al-Qaida, ISIS and how to behave, knows its own Way’ Religion, details state is happening under the new (Pakistan) recognizes freedom of religion to improve and support policy tensions in society. Boko Haram as un-Islamic limits and understands its role as persecution of central Highland Government of India. We do as a fundamental human right in directives and the decision Some States have adopted and disassociated themselves protector of its citizens’ human Christians, many of whom have not want to add into this space accordance with several other making process in respective secularism as a measure to from the ideology and actions rights from violation by third fled to Cambodia. Some used a rise of Hindu militancy which Rapporteur: instruments of international law. legislatures. of the group. The terrorist parties. In old communist states, Mr Neil Iddawala In 1993, the UN’s Human Although throughout organization Boko Haram has such as Vietnam, religion is Rights Committee declared that the history, religions or killed thousands of people in controlled by the state. (Sri Lanka) article 18 of the International beliefs had contributed indiscriminate acts of violence Baroness Berridge spoke Covenant on Civil and Political more to social change and attacks deliberately of the common violations Rights “protects theistic, non- and civilizations, in some targeting Muslims who spoke against Article 18 which include theistic and atheistic beliefs, as contexts, that have led to out against or opposed their an inappropriate connection well as the right not to profess any conflicts. It was noted that radical ideology. between a religious institution religion or belief.” The Committee ‘religious’ conflicts are not In Nigeria, the Constitution or a faith or a stream of one further stated that “the freedom based on religious beliefs bars the federal government faith, and the state. Often, that to have or to adopt a religion exclusively and instead or state governments from institution or faith has such or belief necessarily entails the should be seen as clashes establishing a state religion. It preference from the state that freedom to choose a religion of communities, identities provides for individuals’ freedom pluralism is suffocated, and, in or belief, including the right to and interests. to choose, practice, propagate the extreme, a religion becomes replace one’s current religion or Religion and peace or change their religion and identified with nationality.

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62nd COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE London, United Kingdom 11 to 17 December 2016

Conference Workshop B - 15 December 2016 THE ROLE OF THE COMMONWEALTH IN SUPPORTING is semi-connected to identity, country would enjoy equal rights countries…” Hon. Dr Ramesh strengthen national unity by and to see the persecution of irrespective of their religious Kumar Vankwani said. promoting co-operation and a large number of Muslims and affiliations…” but it was not Religious freedom in mutual confidence among all THE OUTCOMES OF THE COP21 PARIS Christians. materialized in proper way. This Pakistan takes many shapes. sections of the people, including Who knows what the future resulted in the religious violence The Constitution talks about the racial, religious, linguistic holds? Many Governments, and the issues present against the protection of minorities and and other groups, and shall AGREEMENT ON CLIMATE CHANGE Parliamentarians, religious the minorities in Pakistan. equal human rights but it also take effective steps in the fields leaders and royalty have, In analyzing the violence says Islam is the state religion. of teaching, education, and however, grasped the Article 18 reported against minorities in He suggested that humanity information in order to eliminate Small Branches Topic issue, and the Pope’s celebrity Pakistan, it has highlighted the should be prioritized instead of discrimination and prejudice. status at the UN General need of an attitude change religion, to ensure that human Assembly in September 2015 is from grass roots level upwards, rights are valued at all levels. Recommendations from the Moderator: Workshop Report: the Paris Agreement. They, in hydroelectric and wind energy incredibly timely. However, if by including a change of school workshop were: Hon. Ghislain Bolduc, Delegates noted the adverse this regard, acknowledged the and by encouraging the use 2020 violations have decreased curriculum because in some Conclusion and • The Commonwealth should effects of climate change such need to share best practices of electrical vehicles in the then this will indeed be an school text books, non-Muslims Recommendations be able to sanction or call MNA (Québec) as drought, flooding and the rise and assist small island states transportation industry. achievement through proper are mentioned as ‘Kafir’. In the workshop session, the to order States perceived in sea levels, and the fact that and developing countries tackle Hon. Cryuff Buckley, MLC training and the leadership of If a non-Muslim is accused of CPA’s potential role in fostering to be impugning freedom Discussion Leaders: the impact was worse on small the problem of climate change. (St Helena) raised concerns that Parliamentarians through the blasphemy then this can result freedom of religion and beliefs of religion. island states and developing Additionally, they acknowledged small island states sometimes CPA. in hundreds of people in his was highlighted. In the following • Provide a master class • Hon. Mike Summers, countries. the need for the Commonwealth lacked sufficient information to Hon. Dr Ramesh Kumar community being attacked. “The ways it could be undertaken: and/or bespoke training MLA (Falkland Islands) Delegates further noted to consider adopting a joint make well informed decisions Vankwani, MP (Pakistan) peak of the religious violence is capacity building; awareness for Parliamentarians on • Hon. Gan Thiam Poh, the obligation under the Paris reporting strategy and joint that took into account their briefed conference delegates that 10 to 15 forced conversions on pluralism and principles freedom of religion or Agreement for countries climate change agenda. climatic conditions. He that in 1947, Quaid-i-Azam are being reported every month of Human Rights; promoting belief. MP (Singapore) to reduce greenhouse gas Delegates also discussed illustrated that the design of the Mohammed Ali Jinna stated and annually 4,000 - 5,000 inclusivity and religious freedom; • The CPA may constitute • Mr Robert Ondhowe emissions to below 2% of measures being taken by some new airport in St Helena had that “…the citizens of the Hindus are migrating to other promoting co-existence and a Committee to discuss (United Nations pre-industrial levels. They countries to reduce greenhouse failed to take into account the tolerance at community level; loopholes and devise acknowledged the difficulties gas emissions. These included windy conditions of the area. promoting peace education at strategies for ensuring Environment smaller countries encountered giving incentives to businesses In this regard, he asked how a secondary and tertiary level; and protection of an individual’s Programme UNEP) addressing the effects of that employed clean energy platform to exchange technical guiding the States in enacting right to freedom of religion. climate change and meeting technology and using renewable advice and experiences on laws against hate speeches and the reporting obligations under energy sources such as solar, environmental management hate incidents. All recommendations from the Rapporteur: The protection of religious workshop were noted. Mrs. Doris Kapumba freedom is an integral element (Zambia) of a functioning pluralist democracy. Whilst there are many different approaches to protecting religious freedoms, it is important that limitations on the exercise of civil liberties are avoided. It should also be noted that through the directive principles of State policy, the State shall

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submitted that that had signed the treaty would make an investment in offshore Islands had adopted a system of the exchange of subsequently ratify it. windmills in which it expected to environmental mainstreaming information was Hon. Mike Summers, MLA put up 300,000 windmills in the where each policy, investment very important for (Falkland Islands) informed next 20 years. or project had to undergo smaller countries. delegates that in some cases In Canada, Ontario was an environmental impact He asked whether countries did not ratify a refurbishing all its nuclear assessment. there were any treaty because they lacked plants to make them operate on Hon. Ghislain Bolduc, concrete incentives the capacity to carry out its renewable energy. Quebec had MNA (Québec) stated that it to encourage the obligations. He proposed that 800 electric loading stations and was important to educate the private sector the Commonwealth should intend to have 2,000 by 2020. population on climate change. to develop and consider what it could do to Montreal was investing in a public It was further important to adopt clean assist such countries. transport system to remove engage the people on issues energy solutions. A Member from Singapore petrol/diesel cars from the roads. of climate change. Canada had and renewable energy could be He further wanted to know asked whether the new He added that the countries also adopted a policy of durable created. what was being done to make Commonwealth Climate Finance in North America exchanged development, which had three Mr Robert Ondhowe (UNEP) climate change financing more Assistance Hub designed to offer experiences on the measures pillars; economic, social and said that one of the functions of accessible. assistance to the least developed they were taking on a regular environment. In this regard, each the United Nations Environment Hon. Mike Summers, MLA countries had been formed. basis and urged the CPA to law being enacted had to take all Programme was to create a (Falkland Islands) informed Hon. Ghislain Bolduc, MNA create a forum for members to these into account. such as electric cars, when nuclear energy produced a lot Recommendations from the platform for countries to obtain delegates that there was need (Québec) informed delegates exchange such information. A Member from India in some cases taxes were of nuclear waste which was workshop were: the information they needed for an audit to determine what the hub had not yet been Hon. Mike Summers, MLA asked how investment in introduced to support these difficult to dispose of safely. In this • Commonwealth states to make appropriate policy small countries should do to formed, but that negotiations for (Falkland Islands) said that the renewable energy projects, projects and this inevitably regard, nuclear energy was still in should cooperate to decisions. He stated that this help reduce greenhouse gas its formation were ongoing. issue of more investment in such as hydro-electric power, transferred the cost to the public. a position where globally it was establish strategies to had been done for the Alliance emissions. A Member from Singapore renewable energy should be could be achieved in countries Hon. Ghislain Bolduc, not entirely considered as clean reduce greenhouse of Small Island States. He As regards encouraging said that the CPA was a platform taken to the Commonwealth and where the environmental laws MNA (Québec) said that energy. Therefore, many countries gas emissions in the added that UNEP also brought the private sector to adopt for countries to share their that the Commonwealth should were stringent and the area public interest in renewable were cautious about its use. transportation sector by together a Global Adaptation environmentally friendly experiences. In this regard, she consider what resources it should (for instance an area which is energy technologies could be A Member from Canada developing alternative fuel Network in which the majority of technologies, he informed urged the CPA to establish make available to its membership 80% forest) was one in which encouraged through subsiding asked what kind of assistance (ethanol and hydrogen), players were small island states. delegates that that was the role a mechanism for countries to assist them put in place it was difficult for a project to renewable energy products so larger countries could give and vehicle electrification. Rt Hon. Shri Tenzing Norbu of the government. He, however, to share experiences on the climate change initiatives. pass an environmental impact that they were cheaper than smaller countries to address the • The successful Thongdok (Arunachal Pradesh, said countries could encourage measures being taken to A Deputy from Guernsey assessment. carbon emitting ones. problem of climate change implementation of India) asked whether adopting companies to invest in greener increase the use of renewable observed that most climate Hon. Ghislain Bolduc, Hon. Mike Summers, MLA Hon. Mike Summers, MLA the Paris agreement the ‘polluter pays’ principle could technologies by giving them energy sources and reduce change initiatives were usually MNA (Québec) submitted (Falkland Islands) said that (Falkland Islands) said that the requires collective and help arrest climate change. grants and demonstrating to greenhouse gas emissions so strategic and long term while that the introduction of new incentives rather than punitive larger countries should assist concerted efforts from all He further wondered whether them that using renewable that countries could adopt the countries had other short term projects required wide public measures were more effective with technology and knowledge stakeholders, including the advanced nations could be energies was in their best best practices of other countries. and immediate needs. She asked consultation, which could at encouraging the public to transfer. national and local made responsible for providing interest. Hon. Ghislain Bolduc, MNA how a county could prioritise take years. He said that public embrace greener technologies. Mr Robert Ondhowe (UNEP) governments, individuals, green technology and financing Hon. Lazarous Chungu (Québec) informed delegates climate change initiatives under support would increase the He illustrated that rather than informed delegates how Philips businesses and community to address climate change. Bwalya, MP (Zambia) sought of measures being taken by such circumstances. She further chances of a project’s success. taxing petrol cars, for instance, International had entered into an groups. Mr Robert Ondhowe (UNEP) clarity on why some countries in some countries to reduce the asked which segments of society Hon. Mike Summers, MLA governments should reduce tax agreement with some African • The role of Parliament is explained that in Copenhagen, the Commonwealth had not yet emissions. He said that in the supported climate change (Falkland Islands) stated that on electric cars. countries to replace ordinary bulbs essential in implementing countries failed to reach an ratified the Paris Agreement. United States of America, the initiatives. such a situation presented Hon. Gan Thiam Poh, MP with energy efficient bulbs. The the Paris Agreement and agreement on climate change Mr Robert Ondhowe (UNEP) State of California had many Hon. Mike Summers, MLA two competing interests of (Singapore) suggested that carbon credits meant more to initiatives such as the because different countries informed delegates that some electric vehicles and as a result (Falkland Islands) informed improving the standard of living the reduction of greenhouse Philips than the cost of the bulbs, sustainable development failed to agree on who would be countries employed a dual zero GHEs on vehicles. It had a delegates that the Falklands of the citizenry on the one hand gas emission should be done thus, making the project profitable goals, including the added responsible for climate finance system where a treaty was lot of electrical and the longer term interest gradually and within the means to Philips. However, most of the value of entities such as and providing the appropriate signed but only became legally loading of protecting the environment. of each country. countries were too small to meet UNEP. technology. It is for this reason binding upon its ratification. He stations and He said one of the options to Rt Hon. Shri Tenzing Norbu the minimum threshold for the • Climate change is an issue that the Paris Agreement explained that this enabled the 20 hydrogen consider was offsetting policy; Thongdok (Arunachal Pradesh, project to be profitable to Philips. for all nations and the adopted the approach that each countries assess the financial stations. where if a project was likely to India) expressed concern on He, thus, recommended that this Commonwealth should country was legally obliged to and other implications of the Japan had have a detrimental environmental how developing countries was an area in which smaller assist smaller nations in take some action to reduce treaty and whether it was in 120 hydrogen impact, the project developers could revert to cleaner energy countries could bundle together reducing their greenhouse greenhouse gas emissions. He conformity with their national stations. The should be required to contribute solutions such as nuclear energy and benefit from the economies gas emissions and dealing added that climate financing laws. He clarified that this USA was towards offsetting the damage. when the United Nations legal of scale. with the effects of climate was available for bankable process was usually what investing in 4 A Deputy from Guernsey framework for nuclear energy change. projects and countries were delayed the ratification process. new nuclear asked how the public could was very restrictive. urged to develop such projects. He, however, expressed plants and was be encouraged to embrace Hon. Ghislain Bolduc, MNA All recommendations from the A Deputy from Guernsey confidence that all the countries also planning to renewable energy technology, (Québec) said that currently workshop were endorsed.

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62nd COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE London, United Kingdom 11 to 17 December 2016

Conference Workshop C - 15 December 2016 THE ROLE OF PARLIAMENTARIANS IN IMPLEMENTING AND MONITORING POLICIES RELEVANT TO THE SUSTAINABLE

DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS) progress on this matter and Shri matters as well as on the SDGs in terms of the progress made in Koliwad MP (Karnataka, India) Gaurishankar Agrawal drew more generally. achieving SDGs. asked about the assistance which Moderator: Workshop Report: SDGs is integrated across the scrutiny committee. Parliaments attention to a new financial Dr Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar Hon. Angelo Farrugia MP might be available to developing Hon. Tom Osborne, While broadly supportive of broad span of parliamentary also needed to develop strong inclusion programme which was (India) said that all of the SDGs (Malta) noted that work to countries to help them achieve the MHA, Speaker of the the Sustainable Development processes. relationships with official relevant to a number of SDGs. were inter-related. She particularly address one SDG would be likely SDG goals. He also sought further Goals (SDGs), the conference Mr Charles Chauvel (UNDP) statisticians and auditors and to Ms Maree Edwards (Victoria, drew attention to the goals relating to contribute to other SDGs, information on the role of the CPA House of Assembly workshop discussed the initiated the discussion by engage actively with civil society. Australia) focused on gender to poverty reduction and tackling given the way in which they in this area. (Newfoundland and challenges in raising awareness asking whether government Mr Chauvel suggested equality, which was the subject climate change. People can make were inter-linked. He pointed to Speaking in her capacity Labrador, Canada) of the goals and translating them and parliamentary institutions that Members of Parliament of one of the SDGs and related choices to help achieve the SDGs, the success of campaigns on as Chairperson of the CPA into policy priorities at local and are in good shape to achieve could champion development to 11 of the 17 goals in total. such as eating locally-grown the level of the minimum wage International Executive national level. It was noted that the 17 SDGs, which are broader issues in party caucuses, in Collectively the SDGs provided food or even growing some crops in Malta as an example of how Committee, Hon. Dr Shirin Discussion Leaders: the SDGs apply to all countries, in scope than the millennium parliament and in the media. He both a commitment to take action themselves. The promotion of civil society could contribute to Sharmin Chaudhury MP • Ms Maree Edwards, irrespective of their state of development goals (MDGs) they recommended www.agora-parl.net and a framework to assess the breastfeeding was also important. the achievement of the SDGs. (Bangladesh) said that she was economic development. have succeeded. The goals apply as a useful information source for progress which had been made. Hon. Lazarous Chungu Bwalya It might also be appropriate for interested in hearing suggestions MP (Victoria, Australia) Implementation starts with across all countries and seek to Parliamentarians active in this area. While Australia had slipped in MP (Zambia) said that public independent commissioners to from Members about the practical • Shri Gaurishankar personal choices but is influenced promote dignity, prosperity, justice, Shri Gaurishankar Agrawal international gender equality accounts committees would be appointed to oversee work steps, such as workshops and Agrawal, MP by the decisions taken by partnerships, caring for the planet (Chhattisgarh, India) argued that rankings in recent years, Victoria be important in assessing how on the SDGs, to complement seminars, which the CPA could government bodies at all levels. and the welfare of the people. national and provincial parliaments was leading the way in promoting public money had been spent parliamentary oversight. organise in order to support work (Chhattisgarh, India) Every country starts from a He argued that Parliamentarians were the bridge between action gender equality, including with in order to achieve SDGs and Hon. Krishnappa Bhimappa to achieve the SDGs. • Mr Charles Chauvel different position and the work must play a part in achieving on the SDGs at local, national and a new ‘Safe and Strong’ gender Parliamentarians also had a (United Nations involved in achieving the goals the goals, based on inclusive international level and were thereby equality strategy. Although role to play in setting budgets to will be significant. Members were processes, transparency and essential partners in achieving principally aimed at tackling achieve policies. He questioned Development concerned about the resource accountability. the goals. Politicians had a direct violence against women, the whether it was appropriate for Programme UNDP) implications and how international Parliamentarians needed understanding of local issues and strategy spanned a wide range the same framework to apply to aid could assist achievement of to consider if the public had concerns which must be taken into of areas and explicitly conveyed all countries, at different stages the SDGs in developing countries. confidence in parliamentary account in developing policies to the economic benefits of gender of development, and suggested Rapporteur: Parliaments have a role to play institutions. For example, was achieve the SDGs. equality as well as the benefits to that developed countries could Mr Mark Egan (Jersey) in engaging the public and civil there an up-to-date register of Countries had to take men. The intention was to follow play a part in assisting developing society on the SDGs, discussing interests so that the public could responsibility for achieving up on the strategy with an Act of countries with the goals. and passing legislation and form a view on whether or not the SDGs but this would be Parliament. In response, Mr Charles monitoring government action. Parliamentarians were influenced challenging for many smaller Gender budgeting, which Chauvel (UNDP) said that Members raised questions by private considerations when and less developed countries. shows the effect of government although all countries had a about how the Commonwealth taking decisions? The scrutiny Partnership working between spending on the genders, is also responsibility to act to achieve Parliamentary Association (CPA) function was vital but it was countries could help overcome now used in Victoria. There had the SDGs, it was appropriate could assist parliaments both important for compliance with the such challenges. It was also been widespread consultation for different countries to act in setting up new monitoring SDGs to be scrutinised across important to ensure that national on the ‘Safe and Strong’ strategy differently depending on their mechanisms and ensuring that parliamentary processes and policy priorities reflected and it was essential that women’s context and priorities. The richest oversight of work to meet the not side-lined in a standalone the SDGs. India was making voices were heard on such countries should set an example

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Hon. Ekwe Ethuro (Kenya) 62nd COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE expressed concern that there might be too many SDGs for all London, United Kingdom countries to achieve but said 11 to 17 December 2016 that lessons could be drawn from the experience of achieving the previous Millennium Conference Workshop D - 15 December 2016 Development Goals. Many countries had rightly continued to focus on embedding human rights and there might be a risk ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST that switching attention to the SDGs would lead to a loss of focus on those areas. Mr Charles Chauvel (UNDP) WOMEN AND GIRLS: THE IMPACT OF acknowledged these challenges but said it was important to make incremental improvements in the SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE INTERNET IN areas covered by the SDGs. said she was a supporter of India) spoke of the need for meeting on the progress Shri Niranjan Pujari (Orissa, affirmative action, such as quotas, politicians to facilitate the towards Implementation India) raised the issue of finding to increase women’s participation achievement of the SDG goals of SDGs (Peer Review PERPETRATING VIOLENCE resources to achieve the SDGs in politics. by raising their constituents’ Mechanism). given the demands placed on Hon. Michael Waters MP awareness of government • CPA to conduct seminars governments by other priorities. (South Africa) said that in South programmes and communicating in parliament on the Gender Topic Hon. Sreeramakrishnan Purayath Africa lack of access to women’s with government about how such sensitization, processing (Kerala, India) expressed a similar sanitary products affected schemes could be made more and implementation of Moderator: Workshop Report: addressed issued such as • Surveillance/tracking; sentiment. girls’ access to education and effective. SDGs. human trafficking and violence • Harassment or spamming; Hon. Alexandra Mendes, The growing reach of the internet Hon. Lobin Lowe (Malawai) there was also a problem with Mr Tim Crookall MLC (Isle and social media presents against women. Cyber-violence • Recruitment; and emphasised the importance of ‘corrective’ rape of lesbians. He of Man) also emphasised Recommendations from the MP (Canada Federal) opportunities, social connections is becoming increasingly • Distribution of malicious raising awareness about the did not support parliamentary steps necessary to raise public workshop were: and networks. However, these prevalent and the perpetrators information. SDGs. Hon. Lechesa Tsenoli quotas for women but his party awareness of the goals. • Effective parliamentary social media platforms are used are difficult to trace. According Added to the above is revenge (South Africa) asked about the had taken steps to encourage Shri Tenzing Norbu oversight of the Discussion Leaders: by perpetrators to carry out acts to UN estimates, 73% of women pornography aimed at humiliating relationship between the SDGs women candidates and this had Thongdok (Arunachal Pradesh, achievement by • Hon. Yasmin Ratansi, of violence against women and around the world have been and shaming women and girls. and other fundamental aims of been successful in improving India) argued that resource governments of the MP (Canada Federal) girls. exposed to or have experienced The results of cybercrime are government such as the promotion the proportion of women allocation should be fixed for Sustainable Development some form of online violence. often permanently online and • Hon. Natalie Neita, Hon. Yasmin Ratansi, MP of equality, which would remain of Parliamentarians to 30% while ten years in order to achieve Goals is essential to (Canada Federal) spoke of Cyber violence has broad victims have little prospect of crucial importance in South Africa. also increasing the proportion the SDGs and that short-term ensuring the quality of such MP (Jamaica) her experience as a former categories as identified by the removing any content about In answer to Mr Colin Holt of LGBT Parliamentarians to adjustments to such funding achievement. • Hon. Ayesha Gulalai Chairperson of the Standing United Nations: them. MLC (Western Australia), Ms around 10%. should be prohibited. In his view • Parliaments must ensure • Hacking; Victims of cyber violence Wazir, MP (Pakistan) Committee on the Status of Maree Edwards MP (Victoria) Dr Dinesh Oraon (Jharkhand, there should be greater judicial women’s leadership, Women where the Committee • Impersonation; suffer serious consequences, emphasis on fundamental duties including best practice owed by the populace to their strategies developed Rapporteurs: community and country, in order by women’s health, to achieve the SDGs, rather than community organisations Ms Sandisiwe Schalk on individual rights. and networks, to improve (South Africa) and CPA Mr Tim Crookall MLC (Isle of gender equality and reduce Headquarters Secretariat Man) and Hon. Lechesa Tsenoli gendered violence. (South Africa) suggested that it • Parliamentarians should would be helpful if the workshop proactively centre recommendations were stage and monitor circulated in advance and were implementation of SDGs to capable of being amended. ensure their rightful place During the workshop in national priorities to the following additional become a reality by 2030. recommendations were proposed: All recommendations from the • Each parliament to make workshop were endorsed. a report to the CPA annual

28 | The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue One The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue One | 29 A COLLABORATIVE A COLLABORATIVE COMMONWEALTH: UNITY, COMMONWEALTH: UNITY, DIVERSITY AND COMMON DIVERSITY AND COMMON CHALLENGES CHALLENGES including murder in some As Parliamentarians, how instances and teenagers are will we implement meaningful driven to suicide. At political solutions to combat these acts level, women tend to be unfairly of violence against women and targeted, stereotyped and bullied girls and to punish those who using body shaming rather than perpetrate them? Legislation the focus being on the substance without enforcement is not going of their work or ideologies. to be effective. Laws that specifically address Violence against women cybercrime are needed as and girls is both a sign and a reliance on existing legislation driver of gender inequality which on gender based violence is not influences and is influenced by sufficient. Input made indicated social constructions. In addition, that most countries in the gender inequality combines with Commonwealth have legislation many forms of discrimination to that seeks to address cyber make women and girls even more treaties to protect people on Parliamentarians of online combat cybercrimes and the assistance to adequately violence, however the following defenceless against violence. from cybercrime but the comments towards Members Commonwealth can also play a respond to cyber threats challenges were identified: Social media and the internet implementation of legislation and how this also effects the role in sharing information to help through Computer Incident 1. Lack of implementation; are important communications is often a challenge. It would institution of Parliament. The role address these problems. Response Teams. 2. Obscurity of perpetrators; tools for modern life – however be useful for Parliaments to be of civic education has a role to During the workshop • CPA should develop 3. Lack of effective social media is often used by given assistance and guidance in play in helping to combat those the following additional digital literacy initiatives instruments for monitoring devious elements to harass and enacting laws and putting them that perpetrate online gender- recommendations were that provide: awareness and tracking of perpetrators; victimise individuals who use into practice. based violence. proposed: campaigns and strategies 4. Lack of political will to these platforms. In addition, social in the policy positions of every the workshop to questions and Hon. Ram Niwas Goel AAP Hon. Mosalla Martha Mokotla, • The Commonwealth to address cyber violence; dedicated resources to media is often used to encourage sector and should have visible comments from Members from (Delhi, India) said that many MPL (Free State, South Africa) should ensure transfer of computing and social media eliminate cyber violence; physical violence against women consequences for violation. the floor. women are facing problems of said that often the perpetrators technology and knowledge workshops to empower 5. In some instances women offline. Hon. Ayesha Gulalai Wazir, Hon. Nicole Lawder MLA violence in their daily lives and of cyber violence against young used to track cyber violence women through technology. and girls are perpetrators Hon. Natalie Neita, MP MP (Pakistan) discussed the (Australian Capital Territory) stronger legislation is required to women and girls are other to less developed countries. • The internet and social themselves against other outlined the need for support benefits of technology for some highlighted the online comments assist in combatting this. women. The issues surrounding • Inclusive government media provide young women. to be given to strengthening countries of the Commonwealth, targeted towards women Hon. Lazarus Chungu cyber violence need to be approach and multi-sectoral people with a range of governmental and non- particularly but not exclusively standing for Parliament and the Bwalya, MP (Zambia) explained addressed through education approach should be adopted benefits, and opportunities Hon. Natalie Neita, MP governmental organisations developing countries. However focus on appearance rather than that Zambia had introduced a and to ensure that perpetrators to elimination of cyber to empower themselves in (Jamaica) spoke of the prevalence in order to fully implement and the prevalence of violence what they are saying. number of pieces of legislation to are not placed in positions of violence. a variety of ways. Young of violence against women across advance laws for the protection against women and girls through Rt Hon. Maria Miller MP combat gender based violence responsibility. people can maintain social the world and the especially high of women and girls. Gender online and social media is (United Kingdom) spoke of in different communities. Hon. Nafoitoa Talaimanu Recommendations from the connections and support levels of murder and violence in laws do not belong only in the increasing, especially character her hope that the UK’s Law Commonwealth countries Keti, MP (Samoa) shared his workshop were: networks. her own jurisdiction of Jamaica. gender ministry and issues assassination through the use of Commission will be undertaking a needed to share their knowledge experiences of cybercrime • Parliament must ensure that Many incidents of this kind also relating to protecting women images and comments online. review of how effective UK laws in this areas. as a former police officer Parliamentary Committees All recommendations from the result in images and comment and girls from offline and online Hon. Ayesha Gulalai Wazir, are in tackling online crime and Hon. Joyce Watson AM with the workshop. Police on Cyber Crime are workshop were endorsed. posted online. violence should be incorporated MP spoke about her own the gaps in law to protect women (Wales) spoke of the effect need to be better equipped to resourced with technical experiences of ‘fake from online violence. Laws need news’ being posted online to be developed specific to about her to damage online crimes and using existing her reputation and the laws for offline crimes are often reaction of people in her insufficient. community. Hon. Angela T. Didiza MP Stronger messages (South Africa) commented should be sent to social that the speed of cybercrime is media networks such as rapid but the consequences of Facebook and Twitter that cybercrime last for a long time. these types of crimes are The processes for investigating taking place and more cybercrime needs to be should be done by the speeded up to protect people networks to counteract as investigations are often very this. drawn out. The moderator, Hon. Hon. Jennifer Van Den Alexandra Mendes, MP Heever, MP (Namibia) explained (Canada Federal) opened that Namibia has ratified many

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62nd COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE narratives, This would result The discussion leader in increased co-operation concluded his remarks London, United Kingdom between countries around the by reflecting that there 11 to 17 December 2016 world to share best practice and is a strong link between new approaches in countering governance, democracy radicalisation and assembling and development; the Conference Workshop E - 15 December 2016 a team of experts seconded to stability that the youth the unit to work with civil society felt in their environments. networks and Commonwealth He also stated how this governments including though environment can be THE RADICALISATION OF capacity building. exploited; and that forums Using youth as agents of such as this workshop are change was also discussed, with essential to identify the the discussion leader pointing bigger picture and offer YOUNG PEOPLE AND HOW WE ARE out that young peace-builders solutions towards peace. in African countries have also The second set up regional youth spaces discussion leader, Mr DEALING WITH THIS CHALLENGE following capacity building Achaleke Christian Leke, events by the Commonwealth Commonwealth Young Youth Peace Network (CYPN) Person of the Year 2016 • Recruiters of young people • Enact laws to prevent THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH which is focussed on youth-led (Cameroon) congratulated the prey on socioeconomic and the existence of violent peace building and conflict CPA for bringing this topic for political challenges affecting extremist groups, circulation Moderator: Workshop Report: poor governance and a lack of behind many of the terrorist prevention strategies. discussion at an international young people, e.g. religious of arms and promotion Hon. Don Harwin, Delegates in the conference democracy which contributes to attacks in Kenya, has made Hon. Justin Muturi, MP conference workshop, and differences, exclusion, of youth participation in workshop discussed the intolerance and injustice, and the a concerted effort to recruit outlined to the conference indicated that it was quite unemployment and poverty. conflict prevention and MLC, President of the important topic of the internet including social media. Somali youth in diaspora workshop Kenya’s recent relevant to the work that • Those recruited pay a high peace building processes. Legislative Council (New radicalisation of young people The first discussion leader, communities, with the result experiences with terrorism he had been doing as the price in terms of loss of South Wales, Australia) and how parliaments within the Hon. Justin Bedan Njoka Muturi, being that a number of youth since 1980 which were linked Commonwealth Young Person childhood, physical and The third discussion leader, Commonwealth are dealing with MP (Kenya) pointed out that Somalis as well as young people to religious extremism, and he of the Year. It was his view psychological damage which Hon. Sultan Mohammad Khan, this challenge. young women and men have from America and Europe have detailed a series of incidents that society needed to create can have long lasting effects. MPA (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Discussion Leaders: Discussion leaders from been used as conduits for travelled to Somalia to train and which had affected the country a space for young people to • The video concluded with a Pakistan) stated that Pakistan • Hon. Justin Muturi, Kenya and Pakistan discussed carrying out acts of violence fight alongsideAl-Shabaab . and had resulted in a significant progress peace. statement by the discussion had been one of the most their perspectives and and crime not only in terrorist Hon. Justin Muturi, loss of life, suffering and pain Mr Achaleke Christian Leke leader that “There is still affected countries in terms of MP, Speaker of experiences from within their organisations but by militias and MP noted that one of the as well as a downturn in some then presented to the workshop hope for our generation. violence in recent years, and National Assembly jurisdictions. The workshop organised gangs. He noted that outcomes from the CHOGM sectors of the economy owing a short YouTube video on young We need to stand up as that more than 50,000 lives had (Kenya) also heard from an outside studies now show that more meeting held in 2015 was to to insecurity problems. He then people and radicalisation. ambassadors of peace, not been lost in the last decade. expert - the Commonwealth young people from western combat radicalisation, with listed what he saw as the factors Amongst the points made in the ambassadors of violence.” His country was particularly • Hon. Sultan young person of the year from countries are joining terrorist the Commonwealth counter- contributing to radicalising in video were that: The video urged state affected by the radicalisation of Mohammad Khan, Cameroon - who shared his organisations, including young terrorism unit unveiled at Kenya which included: • Young people between and other development young people, and he noted that MPA (Khyber experiences trying to combat people from the Commonwealth. the summit being one of the • Structural and Institutional 7-24 years old are the stakeholders to: approximately 30% of the overall youth radicalisation and create He quoted the MI5 Chief measures to strengthen the factors, including poor targets of violent extremist • Create and promote population of Pakistan was aged Pakhtunkhwa, a space for young people to stating in November 2001 that ability of Commonwealth governance, radicalisation groups as soldiers and institutions to provide between 15-29. Pakistan) promote peace. terrorists were methodically countries to counter extremist in prisons, geographical agents of violence in sensitisation and • Mr Achaleke Christian Delegates and discussion and intentionally location and regional conflict situations in the experience sharing leaders compared their targeting young conflict and infrastructure African continent. initiatives among Leke, Commonwealth experiences of what the causes people and (i.e. ease of travel, access to • The absence of violent young people so as Young Person of radicalisation of young people children in the social media platforms etc); conflicts in Cameroon is to condemn violence, of the Year 2016 were, noting that younger UK, and they had • Socioeconomic factors i.e. a source of inspiration to conflicts and imbibe people were more often the seen individuals extremist organisations many African countries. in young people a (Cameroon) target of such approaches - as young as 15 target young people that • Cameroon’s greatest fear culture of peace; one discussion leader pointed implicated in have no access to education is the recruitment of young • Reshape the Rapporteur: out that you never hear about activities related to or employment and thus are people as soldiers. educational system older people retiring and terrorism. attracted to the promise of • Women especially are towards building Mr Tom Duncan, CPA being lured into terrorist acts. In his own material wealth; and vulnerable, often being skills, changing Regional Secretary, Some causes discussed in the country of Kenya, • Political factors including caught between being mentalities and Australia (Australian workshop include the use of the Al-Shabaab marginalisation and soldiers, sex toys or encouraging young gangs, convicted terrorists using (meaning ‘the discrimination and prolonged subjects of violent acts people to face Capital Territory) jails to convert young people, youth’) which is and unresolved conflicts. towards them. challenges; and

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Hon. Sultan Mohammad terrorism should be like a game 62nd COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE Khan, MPA then outlined the of chess but the US approach stages of radicalisation, whereby has been more akin to playing London, United Kingdom people start off as peaceful chequers.” 11 to 17 December 2016 and tolerant, but as time goes He noted that there is a on it can develop into intense short term strategy (which he dislike/dismissive of each other, likened to fighting fires) but Conference Workshop F - 15 December 2016 then intolerance of diversity the preferred approach was a of opinion, then polarisation long-term one which involved of minds, then sympathy for practical measures, one of which violence, then support for was, just as we have done with THE MEDIA PLAYS A LARGE violence which ultimately leads the sustainable development to actual involvement in violence. goals, to formulate procedures He noted that the youth – and goals to prevent and some as young as 12 and up contain radicalisation and to ROLE IN PROMOTING PUBLIC MISTRUST to 25 - are most affected by promote de-radicalisation set radicalisation, and that you never up a monitoring/grading system Christian Leke indicated that Recommendations from the hear of a retired person turning evaluating attainment of such there are so many drivers to workshop were: OF PARLIAMENTARIANS into a terrorist. goals. radicalisation – education/ • Parliaments must ensure He noted that there are A number of delegates failure to respect the social that governance, structural different kinds of radicalisation: participated in the discussion contract, grievances and greed. and developmental Debate Topic religious, socio-economic that followed the presentations Hon. Helen Sambili MP challenges that engender disparity, ethnic and racial by the discussion leaders, with (Kenya) queried what were the radicalisation are prioritized tension and Shia and Sunni. a number of questions being practical measures countries and addressed, and that He pointed to various causes raised for the discussion leaders and governments can take to human rights-based of radicalisation of youth, to address. Shri Bishnu Pada prevent radicalisation? counter-radicalisation Moderator: Workshop Report: mistrust of Parliamentarians” a common source of negative including a high level of religious Ray, MP (India) pointed to the In reply Mr Achaleke Christian programmes are would be a common challenge media coverage. Social media Hon. Imran Ahmad, MP The conference workshop intolerance, lack of a democratic use of the internet and social Leke reminded delegates that adequately resourced. took the form of a debate, with to Parliamentarians across the was described as a powerful tool structure and poor governance, media in particular as causes for there was a roadmap that the • Parliaments should (Bangladesh) two of the discussion leaders Commonwealth. to get the message across to the school curriculum not being the problem being discussed. United Nations had provided by partner with young people speaking in favour of the motion Whilst acknowledging the the electorate, but the desire for altered to address the issue, and He suggested that using the way of a UN Resolution 2250 – for sustainable peace, that importance of a free press, as instant news results in stories Discussion Leaders: “the media plays a large an educational disparity. internet and social media to Youth, Peace and Pecurity, and prevention of violent role in promoting public mistrust well as the checks and balances written and published without In proposing a way forward both break the myth of agents he urged countries to utilise that. extremism, as outlined • Mrs Jo-Anne Dobson, of Parliamentarians,” and one that it provides, Mrs Jo-Anne due care. to address the issue, Hon. of violence and counter their Hon. Titus Thwala, MP in UN Security Council MLA (Northern speaking against. Dobson MLA said that the nature Shri Sukhendu Sekhar Roy Sultan Mohammad Khan, messages could be a useful (Swaziland) asked what role Resolution 2250 – Youth, of the modern press fuels low (Rajasthan, India) also spoke Ireland) The majority of speakers in MPA suggested that a holistic solution. was being played by the African Peace and Security. favour of the motion highlighted voter turnout or even depresses in favour of the motion. He approach across the political, Hon. Kholiswa Claribell Union and the United Nations. • Formulate practical steps, • Senator Nigel De examples of factual inaccuracies it. She claimed that focusing on described a free media as one of social, education and policing Fihani Magwaxaza, MPL Hon. Justin Muturi, MP and procedures and goals Freitas (Trinidad and in news reports, perceived media frivolous details distracts from the crucial pillars of democracy spectrums would be beneficial. (Eastern Cape) posed the Mr Achaleke Christian Leke to contain and prevent the substance of policy and the and as well as being the ‘ Tobago) bias and the rise of social media. Fourth He quoted the American scholar question to the discussion both replied outlining a number radicalisation. To promote Arguments against included impacts of decision making, and Estate’ in conjunction with the Bruce Hoffman (an American leaders - who benefits from of actions that had occurred, de-radicalisation and • Shri Sukhendu Sekhar the importance of freedom turns politics into a soap opera. Legislature, Executive and scholar who has spent years radicalisation and what is the with the latter suggesting that set-up a monitoring/ Roy, MP (Rajasthan, of speech, journalists holding Mrs Jo-Anne Dobson MLA Judiciary. He also highlighted studying the phenomenon) who basis of radicalisation? speaking up at forums like these grading system evaluating also said that expenses and that Parliamentarians rely on the India) politicians to account for their stated recently that “Fighting In reply, Mr Achaleke give hope, and that we need to attainment of such goals. actions and a free press being salaries of Parliamentarians was media to spread their message stop blaming and work together the fourth estate in a modern to address the issue. All recommendations from the Rapporteur: democracy. At the end of the conference workshop were endorsed. During a vote at the end of workshop, the moderator, Mr Mark Jones (New the workshop, the resolution was Hon. Don Harwin, MLC (New South Wales) carried by 16 votes to 6. South Wales) put forward the recommendations proposed by Discussion the discussion leaders which The first discussion leader, were all unanimously endorsed Mrs Jo-Anne Dobson MLA by the workshop. (Northern Ireland) was speaking in favour of the motion and began her comments by suggesting that she expected the “media promoting public

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She stated moral values in the discharge of Speaker Anġlu Farrugia MP Miss Robyn Lynes (Bahamas) that the concept their public duties. The media (Malta) said that the question outlined her belief that the media of a balanced and focus on negative coverage is not about the freedom of the does promote the mistrust of responsible press of Parliament harms the press, it’s about the question politicians, but they do not cause was challenging individuals, the institution and that the media are promoting the public mistrust of politicians. to define, because parliamentary democracy itself. public mistrust of politicians. He The example was provided that who decides what He called for Parliamentarians suggested that the upcoming politicians are the least trusted is balanced and and the media to respect each generation has a great level profession and doctors the most responsible. She other and develop a healthy of apathy with politics, which trusted, however, if the media also argued that and cooperative working is leading to greater mistrust. only reported about doctor’s the legislation of relationship, complementing and Speaker Farrugia also described patients dying on the table, press freedom can supplementing a strengthening the interesting media platform then they would become just as be very dangerous of the democratic set up, and in Malta, whereby every political distrusted. She added that if the and questioned if facilitating the emergence of a party has its own radio station media tries to villainize you, the you have the right more informed democracy. and TV station. people will defend you if you have to shut someone Workshop Moderator, Hon. Hon. Eleni Mavrou (Cyprus) done a good job down who offends Imran Ahmad MP (Bangladesh) claimed the motion is not ‘black Ms Jan Logie MP (New arguing that it is politicians His final words concluded that you, even if the then joined the discussion, and white’, but various shades of Zealand) believed that in New causing corruption scandals, the media is essential to keep to the people and hold the grappled with the media at same thing will not observing that during the United grey. She stated that mistrust is Zealand the media thought a citing the example of the recent Parliamentarians accountable Executive to account. some point. Speaking against offend someone else. States election, the opposite not always the fault of the media change in government would UK expenses scandal. He agreed to their constituents. He claimed Shri Sukhendu Sekhar the motion, he contended that Hon. Ntlhoi Motsamai effect was studied, whereby and that we should look at the make for better news stories, so that MPs do not generally receive that people make mistakes, Roy called for a strong and it’s not the media causing in the (Lesotho) believed that it was an the whole media was in favour behaviour of politicians. In recent the media appeared to be biased good coverage and that in the but if they are intentional then efficient statutory framework to public mistrust of politicians, it is indisputable fact that the media of Hilary Clinton and Donald times in Europe, Parliaments have in the build up to the election. 24/7 media cycle, journalists Members of Parliament need to protect the rights of the media, politicians themselves through plays a large role in the public Trump won the election. He had to make difficult decisions She also said there is an issue are under pressure to find new be taken to task. whilst ensuring that public and their conduct. mistrust of Parliamentarians, said that he doesn’t know how and that this had an impact on the with political commentators stories. He also said that the individual rights are not breached Senator DeFreitas said that providing the example that much blame we can put on the perception of politicians. who are seen as journalists but media always focus on the Recommendations from the by their activities. He spoke of the the media provides a magnifying the media mainly focuses on media for their reporting and how She also claimed that social can never be independent, due negative piece of news rather workshop were: importance of freedom of speech glass of what is happening Members of Parliament sleeping much blame we should put on media has exaggerated the idea to their affiliation with political than the positive and can turn on • The media portrayal and expression and how these in reality and that freedom of and showing empty seats in Parliamentarians for their actions. of emotion over reason and that parties. someone like a “pack of dogs.” of politicians and values are fundamental rights in speech dictates that the media parliament, whilst failing to show Dr Duncan McFetridge MP the speed of reporting events Senator Paul Routier Discussion leader, Senator Parliamentarians fuels India’s constitution. must be allowed to report what all of the hard work that is done. (South Australia) stated that is leading to false reporting or (Jersey) said that potential new Nigel De Freitas claimed that public mistrust, deflects Shri Sukhendu Sekhar they see. He also said the media Mrs Jo-Anne Dobson MLA the media are not the enemy of inaccurate reporting. Concerns politicians are not prepared to put in the modern era, people thirst young people from politics Roy spoke of the need for the played an important role in returned to the discussion by the Parliamentarian; they are a were also raised over the themselves through the media for information faster. As a and compromises those media to ensure that freedom holding politicians to account, telling participants that whoever tool to be used to communicate concentration of ownership of scrutiny that accompanies the result, journalists are placing who work for constituents in is wisely and responsibly particularly with promises made buys the biggest advert in with your community. In cases media, as well as algorithms of role and called for the media less emphasis on accuracy and public office. exercised and the corresponding before an election, and ensuring the local newspapers often of Parliamentarians abusing the social media resulting in people to ensure accuracy in their more emphasis on the speed • The media acts as an responsibilities are consciously they are delivered when in a receives the most favourable perks of power and privilege, it’s only seeing posts that agree with reporting. information gets out there. ombudsman for every fulfilled. He also stated that the position of power. coverage in their news section. not the media’s fault if they then their world view. As a result, she Hon. Russell Wortley MLC He argued that celebrities endeavour in public life. media had the freedom to shape He argued that She continued that this was report their actions. claimed that people are losing (South Australia) said that battle negative publicity and Its accurate coverage and animate public opinion and Parliamentarians no longer problematic as older the ability to hear the opposing politicians have brought a lot of recover because they have of Parliamentarians can therefore wield a huge influence have a private life because they generations have a view and to debate. the problems on themselves, public relations teams, and that encourage introspection on society. will always be seen as being greater level of trust politicians have not caught up and requisite course He encouraged a community figure wherever in the printed media. when it comes to public relations. correction. Parliamentarians to build a they go and the rise of social She also suggested In closing, the workshop • The CPA should provide strong, professional relationship media has led to more intense that women being moderator, Hon. Imran Ahmad MP masterclasses or training with the media through their and continuous scrutiny of their disadvantaged from said that he has been a Member for Parliamentarians on inclusion in policy deliberations actions. In doing so, he called for entering politics as of Parliament for 30 years. During interaction with members and described how the media further training in handling the they do not want to this time he has learnt that it is of the media, effective provides a conduit through which media before Parliamentarians deal with the media important how you interact with communication and the use public opinion is communicated enter public life. scrutiny. your constituents, and from day of social media. to Parliamentarians, creating a Baroness D’Souza (United Shri Sukhendu one, he has tried to keep public two-way flow of information. Kingdom) asked participants to Sekhar Roy and private life separate. He The first and third Senator Nigel De Freitas consider the role of the media then added that stated that the media has tried recommendations from the (Trinidad & Tobago) started his in a modern democracy. She people expect to portray him in a negative light workshop were endorsed. The contribution by stating that as suggested that it was to inform, Parliamentarians many times and that is strategy second recommendation from most of the people in the room to educate, to entertain, to hold to adhere to the was to ignore them. He claimed the workshop was noted. are politicians, it would be safe the government to account and highest standards that if you engage then you open to assume that they will have to hold power to account. of ethical and a ‘Pandora’s box’.

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NEWS FROM THE 62ND COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE

Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians discuss new ways to tackle political violence against women at CWP triennial conference

Women Parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth have gathered in London, United Kingdom for the triennial conference of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), as part of the wider 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference. Over 100 Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians attended the conference from 43 countries The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Noraini Ahmad MP (Malaysia), the new CWP Chairperson and 56 Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Parliamentary Association, Mr Akbar Khan, in addressing during the next three years and wish her all the very best in the Branches across the Commonwealth. the CWP Conference on ‘Political Violence against Women’ important role.” The theme of the fifth Commonwealth Women said: “It is not only for female Parliamentarians to carry the Hon. Niki Rattle, Speaker of the Parliament of the Cook Parliamentarians (CWP) Conference was ‘Political Violence torch against political violence against women, but it is for all Islands and Pacific Regional Representative on the CPA against Women’. Parliamentarians, including men to champion inclusion and Executive Committee also spoke at the opening of the CWP Political violence against women remains one of the Women. Reports of all of the CWP Conference sessions gender equality. It is also for Parliament as a public institution Conference and said: “Women must look to assume leadership key obstacles adversely affecting the welfare of many appear in this issue of The Parliamentarian. itself to set an example for all of society to follow by raising roles within their respective parliaments. The topic of the fifth democracies within the Commonwealth and beyond. This The CWP also held a gender-related workshop at the awareness of the issue and taking steps to eliminate violence triennial conference, Political Violence against Women, is of manifests itself in terms of physical, sexual and psychological 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference on ‘Ending against women through adopting structures, operations the utmost importance, as it is essential that women have full, violence. It is commonly observed that women face violence violence against women and girls: The impact of social media and methods of work, which promote zero tolerance of such unfettered and free access not only in the ability to seek office, and intimidation when they decide to run for political office. and the internet in perpetrating violence’. It was noted that behaviour. I congratulate Rt Hon. Rebecca Kadaga MP, but also to perform their duties without being subjected to The conference saw leading figures in Commonwealth the growing reach of the internet and social media presents outgoing Chairperson of the CWP for convening a conference threats, intimidation or violence of any kind.” Parliaments addressing delegates. The CWP conference opportunities, social connections and networks - however, on such an important barrier preventing women from entering The opening of the Commonwealth Women included four wide-ranging sessions for Commonwealth these social media platforms are used by perpetrators to carry public office. On behalf of the entire CPA Membership, we are Parliamentarians Conference also featured a poetry reading Parliamentarians on the following topics: Violence and out acts of violence against women and girls. You can read the incredibly grateful to her for her leadership over the past three (via video link) by Zoe Duhaime from Victoria, British Columbia, Intimidation of Women during Elections; Parliament’s Role in report of this workshop on page 29. years. I very much look forward to working with Hon. Dato’ Canada and guest speaker, Ms Brigitte Filion from the Inter- Raising Awareness of Political Violence against Women, and The CWP Conference was opened by the outgoing Parliamentary Union (IPU). Women’s Equal Civil and Political Rights; Legislating Effectively Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, The Commonwealth Women to Protect Women from Political Violence; The Role of Civil Rt Hon. Rebecca Kadaga MP, Speaker of the Parliament of Parliamentarians (CWP) is the network of Society and the Media in Tackling Political Violence against Uganda who had held the office since her election in 2013. Rt women Members of the Commonwealth Hon. Rebecca Kadaga MP had worked tirelessly in promoting Parliamentary Association’s Parliament inter-regional cooperation among members of the CWP. She and Legislatures. The CWP network established a CWP strategy, which has led to many activities, provides a means of building the capacity geared towards the strengthening of Women Parliamentarians of women elected to parliament to be across the CPA’s nine regions; and has convened women more effective in their roles; improving Parliamentarians from across the Commonwealth to discuss the awareness and ability of all the key issue of ‘Political Violence against Women’. Parliamentarians, male and female, and The Chairperson of the CPA International Executive encouraging them to include a gender Committee, Hon. Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, MP, Speaker perspective in all aspects of their role - of the Parliament of Bangladesh congratulated Rt Hon. legislation, oversight and representation Rebecca Kadaga MP on her leadership, her dedicated and and helping parliaments to become committed work that has brought about positive results for the gender-sensitive institutions. CWP. The Chairperson went on to state that gender equality must be factored into food, energy and water policies in each respective jurisdiction. It is important that women take their place in Parliament to ensure that this may come about.

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ND NEWS FROM THE 62 COMMONWEALTH Seychelles and Mozambique who have all achieved percentages well above 30% for PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE women’s representation in Parliament. We have worked tirelessly to ensure that women’s leadership in political decision- making processes improves them. We have demonstrated political leadership by working across party lines through women’s parliamentary caucuses - even in the most politically combative environments - and by Speech by Rt Hon. Rebecca A. Kadaga MP, outgoing leadership – that I am profoundly aware. And in the end that championing issues of gender equality, such Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women is, for you, the people to make. I can only describe what I think as the elimination of gender-based violence, Parliamentarians (CWP) at the Official Dinner of the 62nd has been done over these last three years and perhaps more parental leave and childcare, pensions, Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, December important why. gender-equality laws and electoral reform and 2016 In September 2013 when I assumed this office and up I am proud of these efforts. to this moment, it has been a period of studentship and I am also happy to report that the CWP “My dear colleagues of the CPA and the CWP. It is with learning about the capacities, talents and dispositions of the family continues to grow every day. During immense gratitude to God Almighty that I address you today, women of the Commonwealth. It was also an opportunity to my term of office, we have been honoured to maybe for the last time in the capacity of Chairperson of the offer leadership in both fruitful and in challenging periods. In witness the opening of new CWP Branches Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP). It is with the course of offering leadership, we enjoyed the times, we and Chapters. great emotion that I say this. also experienced frustrations and encountered a number of We have also intensified efforts for As you are aware, my tenure as Chairperson of the CWP challenges that time will not permit me to recount here. advocacy and mobilization for women’s comes to a close during this Conference. And in compliance In all, I found the women of the Commonwealth to be emancipation. This we have been able to do and economic development of societies is also more than half with the provisions of our constitution, I am required by law to of immense promise, potential and faith in the future of through networking and most crucially through events such as as compared to that of men by virtue of their dual roles in the handover the machinery of the Chair to another person who their states; women with unquestionable commitment to regional and branch workshops, conferences and seminars. productive and reproductive spheres. Yet their participation will steer CWP even further. equity, fairness and justice, all of which constitute the basic For us at the CWP, we believe that regular meeting and in formal political structures and processes, where decisions For me, it has been a very interesting time working with all ingredients of democracy. It is in the process of attaining these discussions are crucial cogs in pushing the agenda. regarding the use of societal resources generated by both segments of the CPA and in particular the CWP to provide values or the pursuit of these principles that sometimes portray I am also proud to note that during the past three years, I and men and women are made, remains insignificant. leadership to our Association. Whatever the experiences we the women activists as being uncompromising. my gallant colleagues of the CWP have been fighting against Despite the pronounced commitment of the international had in the course of providing leadership these three years, I am handing over the reins of the CWP with a great sense of violence against women and various other forms of women’s community to gender equality and to the bridging of the gender the time has come for us to leave. fulfillment based on our modest accomplishments. Admittedly, rights abuse. We have stood and condemned the activities of gap in the formal political arena, reinforced by the Convention As written in the scriptures in the book of Ecclesiastes 3:1: we did not take all the women in the Commonwealth to the Boko Haram; we have protested the honour killings in India on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women “To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose enviable and lofty heights we desired and worked rigorously and the Sudan and we continue to pressure governments to (CEDAW) and the Beijing Platform of Action, there are only under heaven.” There was time to assume office and now is to attain. But certainly, we have laid a solid platform for the take action where these violations continue to take place. And twelve countries within the Commonwealth where women time to handover. continued and steady increase of our women in leadership. I can assure you that we have been unwavering in the pursuit hold 30% or more seats in the Parliaments. In any fruitful administration the world over, a leader must The core notion of the Commonwealth Women of respect for the human rights of women. I continue to be dismayed by the statistics of women in work with teams made of supportive individuals – this has been Parliamentarians as founded by women delegates at the We have also made a number of administrative Parliament in some of our other regions. A case in point is the the same case during my term of office. This is therefore a day 1989 plenary CPA conference is to discuss ways to increase achievements and adjustments. We were able to put in place a Pacific which stands at a combined average of 13% women’s and opportunity to thank the people who have contributed female representation in Parliament and work towards the CWP Strategic Plan which helped us to streamline the process representation in both the Lower and Upper Houses. We need towards the continued growth and success of the CWP. mainstreaming of gender considerations in all CPA activities of envisioning our desired future, and translating this vision into to lend a hand to our sisters in some of these countries where I want to thank my Parliament of Uganda for the support and programmes. broadly defined goals, objectives and a sequence of steps to the possibility for increased women’s representation is still during my campaign for election as Chair and also for its Approximately, three years ago in August 2013, achieve them. One unique feature of our strategic plan is that it hindered by wide ranging historical and structural factors. support during my term of office. I want to thank all the CPA in Johannesburg, South Africa, I was so proudly is encompassing the ideas and inputs of all the CWP regions. Despite comprising over 50% of the world’s population, Branches for the incredible support and to the CPA Executive elected Chairperson of the CWP by you, fellow women This was crucial in ensuring that no one is left behind and also women continue to be underrepresented in other aspects of Committee. I want to thank the Chairpersons of the CPA Parliamentarians. I stood before you and vowed to strive for due to the fact there are diverse issues and challenges in the political and public life. According to the United Nations, as of Executive Committee – past and present. Thank you to enhanced political party participation, more equity for women, different regions which needed to be captured. I am happy September 2016, ten women are serving as Head of State Hon. Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury MP; to Rt. Hon. Sir Alan and more access to justice; to use my previous experience I with the progress of the implementation of this strategic plan and nine are serving as Head of Government across the world. Haselhurst MP and to my predecessor as CWP Chairperson, have from the CWP Africa Region to ensure that the people because amongst other things, it has also helped us secure Furthermore, only 17% of government ministers are women, Hon. Alix Boyd Knights MLA. I would like to thank the CPA we lead have the best services. I think therefore that we are at more funding from the CPA. with the majority serving in the fields of education and health. Headquarters Secretariat; colleagues from the CPA Africa that stage where it is crucial to take stock of the progress we It is foolhardy for one to say that all is well – of course, Since 1992, women have represented fewer than 3% of Region; and I would also like to thank my team from the have registered in as far as increasing women’s participation is challenges still exist and huge gaps are still eminently visible for mediators and 8% of negotiators to major peace processes. Parliament of Uganda who have supported me immensely concerned. us to fill. Today, the Commonwealth comprises 52 countries, These numbers are too small. These are the places where during this period. Some of our countries have really good world rankings. across all six inhabited continents. The members have a decisions get made, and simply put; there aren’t enough I have been Chairperson of the CWP for just over 3 years. Of course, we continue to pride ourselves in the example of combined population of 2.4 billion people, almost a third of the women in them. In this job, in the world today, that is long enough, for me but Rwanda which stands at number one for female Members of world population, of which 1.26 billion live in India and 94% live With these massive strides forward and the obvious more especially for the Association. It is not easy to make Parliament with 61%; but we are also equally proud of South in Asia and Africa combined. Women constitute slightly more challenges, I take this opportunity to wish all the best to the this speech today. There is a judgment to be made on my Africa, Namibia, Uganda, Tanzania, the United Kingdom, than half of the world population. Their contribution to the social in-coming CWP Chairperson and her team.”

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th Rt. Hon Rebecca Kadaga, 5 Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Conference MP called upon the countries ‘Political Violence against Women’ of the Commonwealth to CWP Session 1 - 14 December 2016 put in place measures to counteract such violence and to engage in discussions to develop strategies leading to a sensitization of women’s rights and stature in society. She called for a greater involvement by civil society, for legislative measures to be introduced in VIOLENCE AND INTIMIDATION Parliaments to target specifically those engaged in acts of violence directed against women OF WOMEN DURING ELECTIONS when they choose to stand for political office, for the training of law enforcement officials to provide greater protection for women and for enhanced safety measures by electoral authorities to enable those change necessary to allow for to enter the political sphere, greater extent to bring about eligible voting women to feel women to take their place as while signaling to the whole the change needed to enshrine safe when returning home full, equal, dignified partners of society that women are not this cultural shift to ensure full Moderator: CWP Session Report: not many countries have any subjected to any measure of after voting or when attending in seeking the strengthening allowed in politics. In this regard, and fair protection for women Hon. Shirley Osborne, The first session of the specific laws in place to confront intimidation. Women have had political meetings. of those democratic it perpetrates the traditional wishing to seek any measure of Commonwealth Women this ever increasing trend. their properties vandalized, Hon. Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, values inherent across the stereotypical role of women that public office. MLA, Speaker of the Parliamentarians (CWP) Noting particularly the tragic and have been intimidated MP (India) noted that violence Commonwealth. they should stay at home. Legislative Assembly Conference was on the subject murder of Jo Cox, MP during in public both physically and and intimidation against women A particular emphasis was Violence targeting women Summary (Montserrat) of ‘Violence and Intimidation the United Kingdom ‘Brexit’ psychologically. It was also is not only pervasive in politics placed on the media and civil is more often not reported, The session focused on of Women during Elections’. referendum campaign, she expressed that social media is a but exists everywhere. She society as they play a critical role and is often dismissed as the the fact that throughout the The session focused on noted that many women who strong disincentive for women called upon the empowerment in raising awareness with voters, cost of doing politics. However, Commonwealth, women face Discussion Leaders: the fact that throughout the campaign are subject to assault, looking to seek public office. of women to combat such thereby creating an atmosphere such violence is simply of great violence and intimidation when • Rt Hon. Rebecca Commonwealth, women face sexual violence, citing it as the greatest conducive to allowing women cost and harm to the entire they decide to run for political violence and intimidation when abuse, threat to lasting peace and to take their rightful place in political process, and it can be office. Such intimidation Kadaga, MP, CWP they decide to run for political even death. good government. Due to political life without fear of argued that it sets up the next may range from being Chairperson and office. Such intimidation may Also cited this tendency, women do not intimidation and other forms generation of women for failure assaulted, sexually abused, Speaker of Parliament range from being assaulted, was the stand for political office in the of violence otherwise directed as well. psychologically manipulated or sexually abused, psychologically tendency in numbers representative of their against them. Violence comes in four kinds: even murdered. (Uganda) manipulated or even murdered. South-East numbers in society. They remain Ms Nerina Cevra physical, sexual, economic and It is imperative that women in • Hon. Kakoli Ghosh It is imperative that women in Asia for a conspicuously absent in the (Westminster Foundation psychological and impacts public office work to safeguard Dastidar, MP (India) public office work to safeguard majority political realm. Moreover, the for Democracy) defined women to a much greater the protection of their right to the protection of their right to of women negation of full equal political violence against women as the disproportion than their male serve in political life, and to put • Ms Nerina Cevra serve in political life, and to put not to participation costs communities, systematic, intentional use of counterparts. Such abuse of in place such measures as to (Westminster in place such measures as to participate societies and nations. force or intimidation intended human rights undermines the ensure their protection. While Foundation for ensure their protection. While in the Hon. Kakoli Ghosh specifically to keep women out integrity of democratic practice violence and intimidation may violence and intimidation may political Dastidar, MP noted that of politics. As a gender-based and culture, yet no international be dismissed as a cost of doing Democracy) be dismissed as a cost of doing process greater empowerment of violent act, its sole intention legal document exists to date politics, it rather serves as a politics, it rather serves as a for fear of women would arise through is to harm with the effect of outlawing such violence and severe detrimental cost to the Rapporteur: severe detrimental cost to the violence. enhanced education and influencing the political process abuse. entire political process. entire political process. Moreover, training opportunities. ‘Freedom through the marginalization of Delegates spoke of a Ms Elizabeth Kingston Rt. Hon Rebecca Kadaga, they receive ends when violence abounds’, women, thereby preventing them real need throughout the There were no specific (Canada Federal) MP (Uganda) stated that no support she states. It is a holistic and from exercising their rightful Commonwealth and the recommendations from the violence and intimidation against from comprehensive approach, from duty as legislator and politician. world for a legal framework to CWP Session 1 – however women during elections poses a their own the state, from Parliament, The impact and motive for enshrine the issue in national the summary above from the serious challenge to democracy political from political parties, from civil such actions not only hurts the law and policy-making. Women workshop was endorsed. and human rights throughout parties society and from the media that individual, but also serves as legislators need to talk to their Commonwealth. Moreover, when being is needed to bring about the a deterrent for others looking respective governments to a far

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th Against this backdrop, the women Parliamentarians feel 5 Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Conference following recommendations like outsiders and experience ‘Political Violence against Women’ were made: discomfort in the parliamentary CWP Session 2 - 14 December 2016 • global parliamentary environment. Sadly, this is bodies such as the CPA at times reinforced by male should play an effective Parliamentarians. role in protecting and As an example of a best promoting the cause of practice, Canada has prioritised PARLIAMENT’S ROLE IN women. Therefore, the ending gender-based violence, CPA was urged to consider including political violence establishing an Observer against all women. In this RAISING AWARENESS OF and Inquiry Commission respect, in 2015, a code of under Commonwealth conduct designed to foster an Women Parliamentarians environment free from sexual were women’s grievances harassment was appended POLITICAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN can be redressed; to the House of Commons • the need for the Standing Orders. The House of Commonwealth Women Commons Standing Committee AND WOMEN’S EQUAL CIVIL AND Parliamentarians to on the status of Women is regularly monitor the making an effort to address status of women in political violence against women and POLITICAL RIGHTS participation and publish girls in Canada through a study should consider and codes to prohibit insulting periodical reports thereof, on the topic. establishing women and vulgar comments and Moderator: and exert influence on In moving forward to address parliamentary caucuses unacceptable behaviour while CWP Session Report: sustainable development and politicians in their respective member states in ensuring political violence against women as a gateway to solidarity 21.2% of the parliaments have Rt Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, The CWP Conference’s second building good governance.” parties as well as parliamentary transparency and a level and in adapting to some of the in ending gender-based a policy on sexual harassment MP, CWP Chairperson and session opened with Hon. Dr It was observed that, in the forums, continues to be another political field in and outside good practices alluded to above, political violence. against Members of Parliament. Speaker of Parliament Fehmida Mirza, MP (Pakistan) developing world, women are matter of concern. parliament; and the following recommendations Ms Brigitte Filion (Inter Further, only 28.3% have a who made a presentation overwhelmingly deprived of the It was noted that gender bias • notwithstanding the landmark were made: Parliamentary Union) procedure for settling complaints. (Uganda) in which she explained that, most basic and fundamental has always been dictated by parliamentary achievements • in addition to recognizing reiterated the fundamental role The information from the despite women being more than needs like health, education tradition and not by religion or the in fighting political violence, it that the problem exists, parliaments can play in raising study clearly demonstrated that Discussion Leaders: half of the world population, and social participation. Women law of the land. This challenge is is necessary to partner with Parliamentarians need to awareness of and addressing parliaments have the responsibility they are still fighting for their continue to face the ‘glass greater in developing countries the media and civil society enact and enforce specific political violence against women. to address these behaviours in • Hon. Dr Fehmida rights, which are basic human ceiling’ and are victims of a such as Pakistan, where as a way of accelerating measures on harassment It was emphasized that this their own structures. Mirza, MP (Pakistan) rights. The importance of patriarchal mindset. democracy is still evolving. This awareness with female voters, and violence against is possible if both men and In view of the above, it was • Hon. Alexandra gender equality in Sustainable Further, it was pointed out has resulted in visible absence of activists and candidates to women; women Parliamentarians, and stressed that some solutions Development was emphasised, that women continue to face the gender perspective in budget prepare them against violence • creation of parliamentary parliaments as institutions, are to to raise awareness, prevent Mendes, MP (Canada quoting former UN Secretary- the critical challenge of political allocations. For instance, health in politics. It was hoped codes of conduct, in all set the right example. and address this issue starts Federal) General Kofi Annan who said, violence which is yet another and education in developing that this would greatly help countries, that address In addressing the issue with recognising the existence • Ms Brigitte Filion “Gender equality is more than a unfortunate area of women’s countries, explicitly impacting highlight the work of women sexual harassment and of political violence against of the problem, naming it and goal in itself. It is a precondition harassment that is familiar to the underprivileged female and expose the discrimination associated complaint- women, Ms Filion referred to breaking the silence about it. (Inter Parliamentary for meeting a challenge of everyone, yet often ignored. population, receive a nominal against them. settlement procedures; the IPU Issues Brief on sexism, Therefore, the following were Union IPU) reducing poverty, promoting Political bias, faced by women percentage of national budgets. Hon. Alexandra Mendes, • women need to work harassment and violence against recommended as a way forward: MP (Canada Federal) also individually and collectively women MPs which aims at • Parliamentarians should made a presentation on political to change this culture raising awareness of the human ensure strong and strictly Rapporteur: violence against women and so that women are rights violations against women enforced laws on equality Mr Temwa Nyirenda women’s equal civil and political represented in parliament MPs and the obligation of all and combating violence (Zambia) rights, in which she elaborated and, women’s voices and Parliamentarians to respect and against women. This that, according to the Inter rights are respected. protect the rights of women in turn guarantees a Parliamentary Union research, • while each person including women in politics. conducive environment and parliamentary cultures are regardless of gender has The study emphasized that mechanisms for women to sometimes compared to a a responsibility to end sexist remarks and sexual report and lodge complaints ‘gentleman’s club’, especially gender-based political harassment are two types of against all forms of from the perspective of violence, women tend to violence primarily present in discrimination and gender- women Parliamentarians, seek out other women parliament. Despite this, the based violence. In order to and parliaments themselves when they experience study noted that, only 35.8% of cover the current challenges, may be viewed as ‘masculine violence or harassment. the parliaments that participated it was noted that the laws institutions’. This makes Therefore, parliaments in the study have regulations should cover new forms of

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violence, particularly online th threats and other forms of 5 Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Conference cyber-violence; ‘Political Violence against Women’ • parliaments and political CWP Session 3 - 15 December 2016 institutions should ensure internal policies, structures and mechanisms that ensure that women politicians work in an LEGISLATING EFFECTIVELY environment free from sexiest remarks and sexual harassment. She cited TO PROTECT WOMEN FROM Canada as a case in point, were, all House Members must sign a pledge committing to contribute to POLITICAL VIOLENCE a work environment free of sexual harassment and to respect the code of conduct in that regard; • the need for changes to the political culture should has implemented some of the mandate of the body. Recommendations from the be taken on board by all recommendations outlined. Hon. Hannah Yeoh (Selangor, CWP Session 2 were: Parliamentarians. There is During discussions, two Malaysia) emphasised the need • Parliaments should Moderator: CWP Session Report: Members contributions added impediments to the full exercise need to increase the number contributions from Canada and to have some form of protection, promote institutional Rt Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, A dynamic, inspiring, and value to the wide-ranging of their powers. of women in parliament and Malaysia further elaborated for men who accidently commit reforms and political MP, CWP Chairperson and informative session was chaired discussion. Hon. Angela T. Didiza, MP solidarity among them. The the presentations and an act with no intention to assault cultures that guarantee by the Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, The first discussion leader, noted that negative stereotyping solidarity expressed by male recommendations that were made. or discriminate women. Citing safe working environments Speaker of Parliament MP, Speaker of the Parliament Hon. Angela T. Didiza, MP (South of women by the media, while a Parliamentarians was seen as Hon. Yasmin Ratansi MP the Canadian Parliament ‘elbow’ for all, including internal (Uganda) of Uganda, and Chairperson Africa), observed that despite more subtle form of violence, can a decisive factor in this regard; (Canada Federal) restated the incident, which seemed to have policies against sexist of the Commonwealth Women gains such as the extension of leave real trauma in its wake for • collaboration or need for Parliaments to ensure been an accident between a male language, attitudes and Parliamentarians (CWP) on the the franchise and the creation women, children, and families. partnerships with civil that women politicians work and female Member of Parliament, sexual harassment. Discussion Leaders: topic, ‘Legislating effectively to of enabling instruments, The literal cost of gender-based society and the media in in an environment free from Hon. Hannah Yeoh stressed • Parliaments must provide • Hon. Angela T. Didiza, protect women from political many obstacles remained violence in South Africa had denouncing unacceptable sexiest remarks and sexual that some form of protection for conducive political MP (South Africa) violence’. Each of the discussion and that even women holding actually been quantified through behaviour against women harassment. It was noted male Parliamentarians who are environments for women leaders delivered an insightful, political office face structural a KPMG study, which concluded as a viable means of that in Canada, as a way of accidentally caught up in such by focusing on anti-women • Dr Roberta Blackman well-received presentation and that this type of violence cost mitigating the political mitigating sexual harassment, it situations has to be taken into mind-sets (including Woods, MP (United culture barrier that is mandatory for new Members account when enacting legislation within Parties) and to Kingdom) contributes in a way, to of Parliament to go through that protects their female eradicate gender-based political violence against training on sexual harassment. counterparts from sexual violence. violence through effectively • Hon. Dr Jiko Luveni, women. In addition, this In addition, there is a body that In conclusion, it is necessary executing legislation. MP, Speaker of partnership was viewed as has been constituted to address to note that the presentations had • A Code of Conduct for Parliament (Fiji) another way of encouraging issues of sexual harassment of no specific recommendations Parliamentarians and public debate on ways either Members of Parliament or for the meeting to deliberate Parliamentary Staff on to make politics more staff. In the recent past, two male on. However, during the Sexual Harassment, Rapporteur: inclusive; and Members of Parliament were presentations by the discussion with training to promote Ms. Linda Kolody • guarantee education to suspended from Caucuses, and leaders and from the floor, understanding and the women folk in order to not allowed to return because of certain actions were proposed enforcement with strong (Yukon, Canada) change mentalities, combat sexual harassment cases that as means of raising awareness consequences for violations. discrimination and establish were leveled against them. of political violence against a culture of equality and It was noted that these have women which have been All recommendations from tolerance. served as an example to would be highlighted in this report. The the CWP Session 2 were All of the above offenders. Noting this good practice, proposed actions in themselves endorsed. recommendations were noted by the CWP session was of the view were a clear representation of the CWP and attested to during that Canada provides information recommendations and therefore, the session, by positive follow on the disciplinary body to the this report has recorded them for up contributions from member CWP so that other parliaments future action. countries such as Canada which could replicate the operations and

46 | The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue One The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue One | 47 A COLLABORATIVE A COLLABORATIVE COMMONWEALTH: UNITY, COMMONWEALTH: UNITY, DIVERSITY AND COMMON DIVERSITY AND COMMON CHALLENGES CHALLENGES the economy an estimated 0.9 legislation protected women’s of action for our tradition or so-called ‘honour’ shall politicians … the political arena on new life. Hon. to 1.3% (R28.4 billion to R42.2 interests. Notably, in Bolivia, a countries.” not be considered as justification must be made safe for women.” Dr Jiko Luveni MP billion) of the country’s yearly law concerning harassment and Dr Roberta for any acts of violence…” Hon. Dr Jiko Luveni MP shared a personal gross domestic product. The political violence against women Blackman-Woods Ratifying the convention would acknowledged that policies incident regarding study considered not just lost came into effect in 2012 to MP (United Kingdom) legally obligate the United and legislation on violence untrue material private-sector productivity, but protect women and their political observed that she Kingdom to raise awareness of against women existed locally being levelled also took into account the costs participation. The law establishes would have been the problem through programmes and internationally, and that against her online. to government of gender-based penalties for harassment giving a “very, very geared at education, prevention, certain international instruments, In her closing violence. and political violence. In the different” talk last year, and the treatment of violence such as the Convention on remarks, Hon. Dr Hon. Angela T. Didiza, MP legislation, political harassment prior to the murder against women, as well as by the Elimination of All Forms Jiko Luveni MP noted that while many think is defined as “the act of series on 16 June 2016 of training professionals. of Discrimination against reflected that of the latter as beginning and of acts of pressure, threats, her friend and fellow Dr Roberta Blackman- Women (CEDAW), and the UN conferences such ending with the criminal justice harassment or persecution, Member of Parliament, Woods MP noted that in the UK, Declaration of Commitment on as this provide a system, that other areas of the committed by a person or group Jo Cox MP for her men who harassed women in HIV/AIDS, had been ratified. real opportunity to government are impacted, as of persons directly or through political views. Before Parliament were increasingly As well, she observed that share experiences well. For example, there are a third party against women that brutal tragedy, Dr being held accountable for their Fiji’s constitution affirmed and to strengthen the costs associated with the candidate-elected or incumbent- Roberta Blackman- women, across the world that actions and arrested. “our recognition of the human a common to women in leadership “keeps preventative programmes and in the exercise of a public or Woods MP says her presentation level of female representation is Hon. Dr Jiko Luveni MP (Fiji) rights fundamental freedoms commitment to protect women mutating.” With respect to civic educational campaigns aimed political function.” would have focussed on the extremely rare. had travelled a huge distance of all individuals and groups, from political violence. education, she suggested that at wiping out violence against Recalling her own details contained in legislation. The prevalence of violence from the Parliament of Fiji to safeguarded by adherence to Hon. Ntlhoi Motsamai, MP focus be on social media. women. There are also after- experiences, Hon. Angela T. Despite the fact that the against women in politics speak to the conference. Hon. the rule of law, and our respect (Lesotho) said that due to the Ms. Brittany Luaga, MP care costs stemming from the Didiza, MP spoke of the personal United Nations defined political is shocking and recent IPU Dr Jiko Luveni MP observed to human dignity and for the importance and quality of the (Queensland, Australia) noted use of health facilities and social violence and intimidation that violence against women as research found that “40% of that while a good deal of the importance of the family.” session, it was her wish that that a study showed that “a services by victims of violence. she faced in running for election “the connotation of any act female MPs from 39 countries narrative surrounding violence Hon. Dr Jiko Luveni MP all delegates should attend, woman’s mentorship of a minority It was noted that though it is in 2016 when her party put of violence that results in, or have received threats of kidnap, against women concerned discussed ways in which social so that it would not be women group in their country exposes little considered in discussions her name forward to stand as is likely to result in physical, assault, rape, death, or even the issues like domestic violence, media could expose women speaking to themselves. Hon. women Parliamentarians to more of gender-based violence, that a mayoral candidate and why sexual or psychological harm or abduction of their children while sexual violence, and human politicians to violence. Social Ntlhoi Motsamai, MP remarked sexist remarks and violence.” viewing the violence through she feels that the Bolivian law is suffering to women politicians, in office.” Furthermore, “one in trafficking, that the violence to media could be used as a that she was very pleased to see In light of that finding, she the lens of quantifiable costs, especially effective – in ensuring including threat of such acts, five women MPs reported being which women were exposed platform from which to make that the Secretary-General of the wondered how female MPs who could be a useful exercise. In that protections are offered and coercion or arbitrary deprivation subjected to sexual violence.” In due to their roles in politics, untrue statements about female Commonwealth Parliamentary belong to minority groups – such the KPMG report it stated: “while in establishing penalties where of liberty in public or private life”, many countries, no statistics are leadership, or public life received Parliamentarians and leaders. Association, Mr. Akbar Khan, as “indigenous women, women it’s not easy to put figures on in some cases, a person found Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods available about violence against comparatively little attention. Even if the considerable efforts had attended the session, along with a disability, or perhaps names … figures tell the story. guilty “can be banned from public MP observed that increasingly, women in politics and collecting Hon. Dr Jiko Luveni MP that may be required to have with a few male colleagues. women who are lesbian, gay, That shakes people up, when they office forever.” female activists and voters were information about the issue is an remarked that it had long been false claims taken down from She stated that it is her “strong transgender, or intersex” could can see how much they actually Some of the gaps that still found themselves as the targets important first step to take. widely understood that latter type the Internet meet with success, view that mentorship be taken best be supported in politics. spend as a result of gender-based exist do so because it has been of harassment and abuse for New laws were needed of violence undermined women’s someone may have downloaded up so that we can have male Ms. Jan Logie, MP, New violence.” challenging for lawmakers, no reason other than that their to prevent political violence empowerment within the political and saved the material champions and take the ‘he for Zealand, wondered whether A similar study had also been including women, “to codify participation in political activities. against women and they should realm. For that reason, and also beforehand, and so the damaging she’ campaigns” and issues to a research had found a connection conducted in Australia in 2009, certain issues arising out of Ironically, a consequence address not only harassment because this type of violence misinformation may wend its way higher level. between homophobia on the one which found gender-based women’s experience in political of the increasing participation in person but also harassment served as “a strong deterrence back into social media, where it Hon. Hellen Sambili, MP hand, and attacks on women on violence “cost the economy of office and within political of women in politics has been conducted online. Dr Roberta to young and aspiring women can again be forwarded and take (Kenya) noted that opposition the other. She proposed that in Australia almost 13.6 billion parties.” Although according the greater prevalence of Blackman-Woods MP observed considering legislative measures Australian dollars.” to parliamentary rules, it is not violence against them and the that the Istanbul Convention “non-discriminatory policies that To address the societal issue, orderly to impugn someone’s UN’s Special Rapporteur on tasked government with bringing covered against discrimination Hon. Angela T. Didiza, MP noted character, members find ways violence against women recently forward measures to eradicate on the basis of sexual orientation” that many countries undertook around this. For example, in identified violence against violence against women, that should be contemplated. the campaign ‘16 Days of South Africa, where there is a women in politics to be one of her it provided unprecedented Hon. Susasnna Dantjie MP Activism for No Violence Against fight for women to achieve 30% future priorities. protections for women and girls (North West Province, South Women and Children’, and that in representation, “When you pass Dr Roberta Blackman- and had been described by the Africa) asserted that what South Africa, it was decided the by, as a woman, male comrades Woods MP noted that recent UN as ‘the gold standard’ for the was really needed was action, campaign should be a year long, and colleagues will say, ’30%.’” Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) elimination of violence against particularly action in the form and so its campaign was called In concluding her research indicated that the global women. A debate would take of legislation. She wished that ‘365 Days for No Violence against presentation, Hon. Angela T. average percentage of women place in the UK Parliament on Bolivia’s innovative legislation to Women and Children’. Didiza, MP noted it isn’t possible in national parliaments was a Bill whose objectives were to address harassment and political In a number of countries, to claim legitimacy if women, 22%. In the UK Parliament, the ratify the convention. violence against women was targeted legislation had been being half of humanity, aren’t figure stands at 30%. Although The Istanbul Convention available to all. enacted to address domestic “at the table to determine in some African nations, over stipulated: “Parties shall ensure Ms. Lydia Johnson, MP violence, and that certain other development and the course 50% of Parliamentarians are that culture, custom, religion, (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)

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62nd COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE London, United Kingdom 11 to 17 December 2016 A Collaborative Commonwealth: Unity, Diversity and Common Challenges Hosted by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Headquarters Secretariat

50 | The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue One The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue One | 51 A COLLABORATIVE A COLLABORATIVE COMMONWEALTH: UNITY, COMMONWEALTH: UNITY, DIVERSITY AND COMMON DIVERSITY AND COMMON CHALLENGES CHALLENGES concurred with an observation a formidable force, and we have th one of the presenters had made to be reckoned with.” 5 Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Conference in that that legislation that is Dr Fehmida Mirza, MNA ‘Political Violence against Women’ not enforced, is akin to having (Pakistan) observed that positive CWP Session 4 - 15 December 2016 no legislation whatsoever. news is not news, as if fails to She wondered to what extent receive coverage in traditional women were failing to support media. Expanding upon this, Dr other women, and noted that Fehmida Mirza, MNA noted that sometimes men used women to the positive acts taken by women THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY intimidate other women. Parliamentarians in their official Hon. Akello Judith Franca, capacities are not projected in MP (Uganda) was interested in the regular media and she added AND THE MEDIA IN TACKLING learning how easily the Bolivian that rather than looking for male legislation passed into law, the champions, a commitment must would include women from the highest percentage of better for other jurisdictions first be fostered among women minority parties. women in parliament ever – at to adopt similar legislation. to support other women. Hon. Angela T. Didiza, MP sixteen percent - as well as POLITICAL VIOLENCE Hon. Akello Judith Franca, After these questions and observed that there seemed to their first female Speaker. She MP observed that legislative comments, the three discussion be agreement that “a multiplicity noted that some of the positive measures should not only focus leaders had an opportunity of interventions” was needed. changes could be attributed Moderator: CWP Session Report: which denigrate women in political violence against women, on women candidates, given to respond to some of the This included legislation and to changing the electoral Rt Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, Political violence against women different political settings. it is often argued that a majority that in the most recent election contributions from the floor enforcing existing legislation, system as Fiji adopted the remains one of the key obstacles Equally, lack of penal codes in of influential positions in the in her country, four women who before the recommendations as well as advocacy, building proportional representation list MP, CWP Chairperson and adversely affecting the welfare the specific legislations passed media are still occupied by male supported candidates who were arising from the session were solidarity and partnerships, and system, and at the party level, Speaker of Parliament of many democracies within the by Parliamentarians remain a counterparts who are still illiterate not their respective husband’s considered and adopted. civic education. On the subject 30% of candidates must be (Uganda) Commonwealth and beyond. challenge in many parliaments. about the rights of women. choice (without regard to Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods of social media, Hon. Angela women which had made a real These manifest itself in terms of To this end, it is imperative To this end, participants whether or not the candidates MP agreed that it was important T. Didiza, MP found merit in contribution to achieving these physical, sexual, and psychological that women in public office work in the session endorsed were women) were “thrown out of to work with men to change a the observation that as social good results. Discussion Leaders: violence. It is commonly observed to safeguard their right to serve the recommendations that their marriages.” culture that engenders violence media is an unescapable reality, • Hon. Michelle that women face violence and in political life, and to put in place Parliaments and Governments Princess Kasune, MP against women – however it is important to look at how to Recommendations from the intimidation when they decide such measures as to ensure their must work with media agencies (Zambia) challenged women added that first, women must engage with it. She observed CWP Session 3 were: O’Byrne, MHA to run for political office. Such protection. While violence and to counter the use of language in politics to “really attempt to support each other, and the that the prevention of cybercrime • Parliaments should (Tasmania, Australia) intimidation may range from intimidation may be dismissed as that minimises or trivialises take advantage of social media subsequently they could reach should be considered, as undertake gender • Hon. Shirley Osborne, being assaulted, sexually abused, a cost of doing politics, it rather violence against women in because it is not going anywhere.” out to colleagues who support certain digital applications now mainstreaming in their through hate speech and serves as a severe detrimental politics. Parliaments must Princess Kasune, MP also women’s rights. Dr Roberta in use can increase women’s legislative processes and MLA, Speaker of the psychologically manipulated or cost to the entire political process. criminalise political violence asserted that it was “critical that Blackman-Woods MP noted vulnerability. functions, through gender- Legislative Assembly even murder. Delegates noted the Media has played a role in against women as such. When when a woman is being bashed that this included efforts to bring Hon. Angela T. Didiza, MP based analysis built into (Montserrat) different perspectives presented shaping how individuals engage committed systematically, [on social media]…that we, as more women into parliament as concluded that role models are standing orders and other by the discussion leaders and with the political system of their political violence against women fellow women, stand up and this “changes the culture and important: “If in your home, you rules of parliament. • Hon. Dr Immaculete made several recommendations country for many decades. To is persecution, a crime under speak towards that.” enables us to get legislation.” have seen your mother being a • Parliament, having Swaree Semesi, MP for the consideration of an extent, even the national international law. Civic society Hon. Thagasvari Suppiah Dr Roberta Blackman-Woods strong leader, your grandmother, promoted the active (Tanzania) Parliamentarians within the consciousness of a country can must invest in education of a boy (Perak, Malaysia) suggested that MP said that as far as women your aunt in society, your mum, participation of women in Commonwealth community. be impacted by the information child and change of attitudes. by adopting a more empowered from minority parties were you get confidence.” politics, must introduce • Mr David Donat Cattin, The discussion leaders and citizens acquire about their Hon. Michelle O’Byrne, MHA mind-set, women could further concerned, the factor of greatest Hon. Dr Jiko Luveni MP effective measures to Secretary-General, contributors from different political system through the media. (Tasmania, Australia) was the their cause by projecting to concern was to protect all women related that after the recent protect women from Parliamentarians for Commonwealth Parliaments noted Although media and civil society first discussion leader for the society, “We are one, and we are in politics, as by extension, that elections in Fiji, they now have political violence. that abuse of language influences have a significant role to play session and she noted that civil #nopolitical Global Action (PGA) certain gender stereotypes in addressing the challenge of society and the media have a great violenceagainstwomen • Parliament must promote Rapporteur: good practice in legislating to protect women from Mr Mzuvukile Ngese political violence and work (South Africa) with Parliaments across the Commonwealth raising awareness of women’s issues.

All recommendations from the CWP Session 3 were endorsed.

52 | The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue One The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue One | 53 A COLLABORATIVE A COLLABORATIVE COMMONWEALTH: UNITY, COMMONWEALTH: UNITY, DIVERSITY AND COMMON DIVERSITY AND COMMON CHALLENGES CHALLENGES role to play in tackling political stakeholders must be used to punishable to the perpetrators of by civic education with the support must introduce effective violence against women. There expose the untruths, prejudice political violence against women. of the constitutional courts. measures to protect women are many challenges that women and stereotypes aimed at The question of the media A large number of from political violence #no face in their daily lives from abusive denigrating women. was recognised regarding recommendations were political violence against language to social media pressure Mr David Donat Cattin women`s political campaigns suggested during the CWP women. and Parliamentarians have a further questioned political that are not covered by the session for consideration by the • Parliament must promote responsibility to work with the violence against women and the media during elections and the CPA membership: good practice in legislating media and with civil society groups manner in which it is defined. kinds of political violence that • Parliaments should promote to protect women from to tackle these challenges. The contemporary definitions they are subjected to by male institutional reforms and political violence and work Hon. Shirley Osborne, MLA of political violence are not counterparts. This is due to political cultures that with Parliaments across the (Montserrat) reaffirmed the embracing and they do not the fact that most of the media guarantee safe working Commonwealth in raising persistent challenge of the address the plight of women from institutions are dominated by environments for all, including awareness of women’s issues. negative and stereotypes in the the social, economic and political male journalists. internal policies against • That political violence form of language use in politics perspective. To this end, action is It is against this background sexist language, attitudes against women is not limited aimed at denigrating women necessary from the civic society that mechanisms such as and sexual harassment. to acts against women has to be confronted with an to advocate for the redefinition of introduction of help lines through • The implementation of running for office but aggressive civic society and the education curriculum to deal radio, social media and television laws and inculcating of the that it has its genesis and women Parliamentarians. with women’s issues from the must be utilised to expose culture of accountability perpetuation elsewhere. She further recalled global psycho-social perspective as well and report political violence to must be fostered through • Women Parliamentarians interventions aimed at addressing as the economic angle. the concerned Ministries of penal codes in legislation. united, should speak out, the challenge. These include the compete with men, as they got all the public and with decision- that stifle efforts to advance The introduction of mentoring governments and other state • Laws must be defined in a address root causes of 2002 Beijing Platform Action the facilities to make them fit in making bodies. They develop women are addressed. to a boy child with a view to institutions. With respect to civic gender-neutral legislative violence against women, adopted by the United Nations the political competition. This is indicators and collect data on On the legal framework and change their attitudes on how education, Parliamentarians and theoretical framework. perform awareness-raising and pronounce itself on the turn can increase the number of the prevalence, form and impact policy change, civil societies they related with the girl child was are encouraged share the good • Training of law enforcement and place the issue on the need to strongly condemn the women to be experience violence of violence against women in influence policy making and recommended by the conference practices of the United Nations agencies on gender related agenda in different platforms. emotional violence perpetrated in politics. politics and provide training to help to enact laws that abolish delegates from Canada. with countries and institutions aspects of political violence. against women and the social It was further noted that civil law enforcement officials to discrimination in society. The Delegates from Kenya also that are already introducing good • Bring men on board when Recommendations from the exclusion it causes to women. society has been successful enable them to recognise such laws against female genital shared their experiences in their programmes aimed at improving dealing with the stigma of CWP Session 4 were: To this end, women must in shaping global policy acts, reporting and prosecuting mutilation and the marriage act own countries regarding political women`s socio-political status in stereotypes, prejudice and • Parliaments and use the necessary policies and through advocacy campaigns, these crimes to the fullest extent are specific laws that have been violence perpetrated against society. other social impediments Governments must work legislation passed in Parliaments community based organisation of the law. They also provide influenced by the presence of women. It was indicated that Hon. Lindiwe Maseko MP and attitudes perpetrated with media agencies to to combat the challenge of and the mobilizing of people support and counselling for the civil societies. Therefore, civil attention needed to be paid to (South Africa) encouraged against women. counter the use of language political violence. Platforms such and resources. They use several women who are the survivors of societies also have a role in rural women in relation to the Commonwealth Parliamentarians • Develop relationships with that minimises or trivialises as social media and civic society mechanisms of lobbying and political violence. Civil societies influencing the government sensitivity they are subjected to to develop outreach programmes male journalists to discuss violence against women in must be encouraged to act advocacy aiming at creating provide a space for women who to create laws that will end or by local authorities in the villages. to educate citizens on issues of some of the gender-related politics. aggressively in exposing political awareness in the community and are politically violated to give reduce the problem of political Parliamentarians from the women’s rights as guaranteed challenges and politically- • Parliaments must criminalise violence and stigmas perpetrated influence the policy change and out their complaints and then violence against women. United Kingdom also shared their in the constitution and different related violence within the political violence against against women. decision making. Civil society work to solve those complaints Civil societies and the media experiences and explained that legislations. This should media industry and beyond. women as such. When Hon. Dr Immaculate Sware is at the forefront of educating by sending them to legal bodies work closely with the community the UK has enacted a number be enhanced through the • A Code of Conduct for committed systematically, Semesi (Tanzania) observed women, girls and children about including the police, the electoral and therefore they know a lot of of laws aimed at protecting the establishment of partnerships Parliamentarians and political violence against that social culture practices and their rights and how to demand authorities and gender equality the issues that are happening rights of women. However there with other state institutions Parliamentary Staff on women is ‘persecution’, a discriminatory attitudes have over those rights. They also include offices for justice decisions. in society. Together with other is a need to intensify scrutiny that will include the Judiciary, Sexual Harassment, crime under international law. time played a detrimental role to boys and men to ensure that Civil society is obligated stakeholders they work to make and parliamentary of oversight the Legislature and different with training to promote • That political violence against the social being of women. The cultural norms that perpetuate to ensure that the economic sure they address whatever is in an effort to ensure that there ministries of government. This understanding and women is not limited to acts son preferences over a daughter and engender discrimination are emancipation of women is highly happening in society and make it are penal codes which are method would effectively assist enforcement with strong against women running for is one of the principal forms of well addressed. Through their prioritized by governments known to the public. women by enlighten consequences for violations office but has its genesis and discrimination and one which advocacy, violation of women’s worldwide, especially in developing Mr David Donat Cattin them about the value should be created. perpetuation elsewhere. has far-reaching implications for rights in politics can be reduced, countries, where women are still (Parliamentarians for Global of democracy itself and • Parliaments must provide • Women Parliamentarians women through the preference since they know their rights and undervalued and remain largely Action - PGA) argued that sexual the extent to which conducive political united, should speak out, of the boy child over the girl they will be aware of how to unrecognised. It is imperative that attacks against women are not the constitution and environments for women address root causes of child. The practice denies the girl compete in politics and once they women are supported to enjoy reported and exposed. This is legislation improves by focusing on anti-women violence against women, child, good health, development, are politically violated they know equal access to opportunities due to the challenge that in their lives for the better. mindsets (including within perform awareness-raising recreations, and economic where to go. and resources at hand, as well some countries the media tend Hon. Lindiwe Maseko parties) and to eradicate and place the issue on the opportunities. When the girl child Equally, civil societies do as to opportunities for societal to protect the government and MP further explained gender-based violence agenda in different platforms. has been denied in all these, she collect various data on political leadership and participation. A so the facilitation of the truth that such programmes through effective legislation. will lack confidence to participate violence against women and just and equal society will only be remains a challenge. It is against can be facilitated • Parliament, having promoted All recommendations from the in political activities because of put them on record so as to possible if the structural conditions this backdrop that mechanisms through to outreach to the active participation CWP Session 4 were endorsed. her limitations and inability to address these issues with such as social media and other citizens and facilitated of women in politics,

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NEWS FROM THE 62ND COMMONWEALTH 35th CPA Small Branches Conference

PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE Small Branches Session 1 - 13 December 2016

THE ROLE OF THE

Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Small Branches COMMONWEALTH IN address the issues affecting small parliaments and legislatures across the Commonwealth SUPPORTING THE OUTCOMES OF THE COP21

The 35th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Small Branches Conference took place in London, United PARIS AGREEMENT ON CLIMATE CHANGE Kingdom on 13 December 2016 with forty-seven Members of Parliaments and Legislatures from 26 CPA Small Branches attending the conference. Moderator: Small Branches Session that stand to experience the Notwithstanding the The conference included three main plenary sessions Hon. McKeeva Bush MLA Report: negative impacts of a warming above-noted paradox, each exploring key themes proposed by the Membership: ‘The The first session of the CPA climate most immediately and of the discussion leaders role of the Commonwealth in supporting the outcomes of (Cayman Islands) Small Branches Conference was catastrophically. Changing ocean in this conference session the COP21 Paris Agreement on Climate Change’; ‘The role on the subject of ‘The Role of the currents resulting from warming expressed a firm commitment of parliament in the protection and safeguarding of children’; Discussion Leaders: Commonwealth in Supporting the temperatures may negative to action by small states. Small ‘Eliminating barriers to women’s leadership in politics in Small opened by the Chairperson of the CPA International Executive Outcomes of the COP21 Paris impact commercial fishing states can serve as testing Branches’. Reports of these conference sessions appear in Committee, Hon. Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury MP, Speaker • Hon. Mike Summers, Agreement on Climate Change’. activities which form a staple of grounds for new clean energy this issue of The Parliamentarian. of the Parliament of Bangladesh which was followed by an MLA (Falkland Islands) Many CPA Small Branches many island nation economies. and adaptation technologies. Of the over 180 Branches of the CPA, forty-three address from the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth • Hon. Toka Hagai (Cook struggle with a fundamental Warmer temperatures also place Regional cooperation among Branches are classified as Small‘ Branches’ which are defined Parliamentary Association, Mr Akbar Khan who welcomed dilemma with respect to climate the drinking water resources of neighbouring small states can as jurisdictions having a population below 500,000 people. the Commonwealth Parliamentarians to the Small Branches Islands) change. Many are island states isolated island states at risk. be used to establish more The CPA Headquarters Secretariat works closely with Small Conference. The Master of Ceremonies for the official • Hon. Cruyff Buckley who stand to feel the negative Despite the severe and meaningful emission targets Branches in all Regions of the CPA to identify their unique opening was Hon. K. H. Randolph Horton, JP, MP, Speaker of (St. Helena) impacts of climate change immediate impact of climate and achieve economies of needs and requirements in parliamentary strengthening, the House of Assembly of Bermuda. first and most profoundly. change on small nations, they scale for technology acquisition, development and cooperation. Examples of CPA Small Branches include countries such • Mr Robert Ondhowe However, because of their small are limited in terms of their ability research and development. Most The CPA Small Branches Conference took place as part as Barbados and St. Lucia, as well as CPA Branches in UK (United Nations populations and economies, they to reducing carbon emissions importantly, small states must nd of the wider 62 Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference. Overseas Territories such as Montserrat or territories within Environment have limited ability to influence to a meaningful degree. When lead by example to maintain The 35th CPA Small Branches Conference was officially larger countries like Northwest Territories in Canada. overall reduction targets and small state reduction targets are pressure on larger, high emission Programme UNEP) limited resources to adapt to the included as part of the overall nations to take real action to impacts of a changing climate. targets of their associated larger meet the COP21 emission Rapporteur: Notwithstanding, Small nations, the incentive to act is targets. Branches feel a responsibility minimized. The Commonwealth Mr Tim Mercer to participate in climate change Parliamentary Association (CPA) (Northwest Territories, mitigation as a Canada) means of putting pressure on the efforts of large states, particularly those in the developed world. The Moderator and the discussion leaders for this workshop session represented small island nations

56 | The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue One The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue One | 57 A COLLABORATIVE A COLLABORATIVE COMMONWEALTH: UNITY, COMMONWEALTH: UNITY, DIVERSITY AND COMMON DIVERSITY AND COMMON CHALLENGES CHALLENGES and member parliaments have an installation of low carbon energy 35th CPA Small Branches Conference important role to play in meeting by individual residents by allowing the COP21 Paris Agreement them to sell excess energy back Goals. The conference workshop into their energy grid. Small Branches Session 2 - 13 December 2016 was informed that the CPA and Hon. Angelo Farrugia, MP its member Parliamentarians (Malta) described his country’s must show leadership in recent initiatives to adopt clean encouraging ratification of energy generation and waste COP21 by their national management practices. He noted THE ROLE OF PARLIAMENT governments. that educating other leaders Delay in ratification is slowing and the public about the science down the establishment of supporting climate change is IN THE PROTECTION AND implementation rules. The CPA critical to maintaining pressure and its members also have an on the large polluter states to act. important role to play in ensuring Hon. Terry Mills, MLA that coherent legislation is (Northern Territory, Australia) SAFEGUARDING OF CHILDREN enacted amongst signatories stressed the importance of like the United Kingdom. The during the implementation phase and that impediments such as assessing the public mood for establishment of sea defenses of COP21. national intellectual property laws financial and legislative measures was noted as a major adaptation Hon. Winston Connolly MLA do not prohibit the transfer of to reduce emissions and adapt to challenge for small island states. (Cayman Islands) described relevant technologies amongst climate change. The importance Hon. Dr Daniel Johnson MP a motion for the adoption of Moderator: Small Branches Session Discussion of the state compared with the signatory states. Finally, of self-interest in creating a (Bahamas) described a recent a climate change adaptation Hon K. H. Randolph Report: Opening the discussion, Mr R. national average. Parliamentarians must monitor more favourable public mood project to develop and produce strategy that was unanimously Horton, JP, MP, Speaker The discussion leaders began J. Simpson MLA (Northwest It was suggested that the and oversee the implementation was noted. Citizens must see small solar cars on his island supported by his Parliament the session by outlining some Territories, Canada) spoke very current system was failing of the COP21 Agreement a payback to adopting greener state and noted the opportunities as well as a proposed energy of the House of Assembly of the challenges currently passionately about the issues children, causing them to have and hold their respective measures locally and nationally. for cooperation amongst small policy recently developed by a (Bermuda) facing Parliaments around the affecting children in the Northwest “worse long term outcomes”, with governments to account. Hon. Francis (Buck) states to develop and market parliamentary committee that Commonwealth regarding the Territories and Canada, with children taken in to care shown Hon. Gregory Raymond Watts MLA (Prince Edward such clean technology. will recommend, amongst other protection and safeguarding particular regard to the historical to be more likely to be involved Hall, MP (Tasmania, Australia) Island, Canada) described Mr John Tangii (Cook measures, the reduction of import Discussion Leaders: of children. In a very open and and ongoing issues faced by in crime, substance abuse and described his state’s move the challenges of waste Islands) described recent duties on electric vehicles and • Mr R. J. Simpson compassionate discussion, indigenous children. He noted that having their own children taken in to 100% renewable hydro management on a small island efforts by Australia and New other green initiatives. MLA (Northwest delegates shared their experiences in his constituency of Hay River to care. He stated the importance energy some years ago only to state with limited population Zealand to assist his state in the of serious issues facing children North, over 50% of the population of Parliamentarians addressing the find it severely restricted as a and incentive for private sector development and implementation Recommendations from the Territories, Canada) in their home countries and is indigenous, compared with root-cause of children being taken result of recent droughts. The involvement. He also noted of green technology and Small Branches Session 1 • Hon. Gregory jurisdictions, as well as initiatives only 4% of the total Canadian away from their families to help system, which is now back in the island’s complete reliance encouraged the CPA to play a were: Raymond Hall, MP undertaken by their Parliaments to population. Mr R. J. Simpson MLA break this self-perpetuating cycle. full operation, incentivizes the on ground water and the risks coordinating role to encourage • Climate change is an issue address them. also highlighted that around half Increased levels of poverty, higher associated more of the same. for us all, but we cannot do (Tasmania, Australia) Similarities could be drawn of the number of children put incarceration rates and substance with this in Deputy Michelle Le Clerc it alone. The key role of the • Mr Orest Nowosad in the problems faced by into care within the child welfare abuse problems amongst the a warming (Guernsey) inquired as to any Commonwealth will be to (Office for the High Parliamentarians in ensuring the system are from an indigenous indigenous community must first climate. successes with tidal energy support the smaller nations. protection of children, particularly background, and 15 times as many be acknowledged and addressed Deputy production. • The CPA can facilitate Commissioner for indigenous children and those indigenous children are wards Jonathan Hon. Andrew Wall MP collaborative action, Human Rights) in the care of the Le Toq (Australian Capital Territory) and it can support state or in the juvenile (Guernsey) re-emphasised the importance Parliamentarians in moving detention system. The expressed of self interest in finding and forward in terms of climate Rapporteur: delegates agreed that support for the implementing workable solutions. action. Mr Mark Jones (New whilst the outcomes establishment He inquired as to the eligibility • Global appetite for action South Wales, Australia) from Committees of regional of small and large states to on climate change has and Inquiries were emissions access funding from the UNED increased, which provides useful for providing targets, Adaptation Fund. an opportunity for a small, recommendations particularly In response, Mr Robert isolated nation, to show and drawing attention for states like Ondhowe (UNEP) indicated a global leadership and to the issues, real his, which are move to eliminate the bifurcation demonstrate commitment to financial support needs lumped in with of eligibility for access to the combat this issue. to be allocated by the reduction Adaptation Fund between governments to ensure targets of developed and developing states All recommendations from the the recommendations a much as mandated in the Kyoto Accord Small Branches Session 1 were are implemented and larger state endorsed. followed through.

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“as part of any honest attempt to Details were given about rate in Bermuda may be as high as Convention of Rights of the Child truly protect indigenous children.” the Committee system in 1 in 3 girls, and 1 in 5 boys being which states that children have to Mr R. J. Simpson MLA also Tasmania with particular sexually abused before their 18th be safe from violence. He also said spoke about the “intergenerational reference to “how parliament birthday. that there are currently 300,000 trauma” suffered by native can play a vital role in providing He called child sexual abuse child soldiers younger than the age indigenous children, who were the best possible outcomes “the most prevalent health problem of 8 as well as children fighting in forcibly separated from their for children who have been children face, with the most armies around the world from the families and taken to state and caught up in the justice system,” serious array of consequences”, age of 15. church-run residential schools. based on a Select Committee affecting all generations, religions Hon. Terry Mills MLA (Northern He detailed the ongoing issues inquiry into a Tasmanian and socioeconomic classes. Hon. Territory, Australia) spoke about caused by physical and sexual Youth Detention Centre. Mr Michael Weeks MP informed the the Australian Government’s abuse of children in these schools, Hall stated that he believed discussion that one of the reasons recent undertaking of a Royal as well as the statistic that at one that the Committee provided that child sexual abuse has Commission into the detention period in time “1 in 4 previously a way for Parliamentarians to been such an issue for Bermuda of children. He also expressed healthy indigenous children died in “express their views in public and is due to the subject being frustration that whilst there was residential schools.” He noted the provide information free from Mr Orest Nowosad (Office for safeguarding of children, including: ‘taboo’ amongst the tight-knit a coordinated national response importance of Parliamentarians repercussions.” the High Commissioner for Human gender parity and gender respect, communities. to equine flu in the racehorse taking historical factors such as Despite actions from a Rights) spoke of the complex corporal punishment and the age The advent of the SCARS industry, Parliaments across Deputy Scott Wickenden the ‘anger’ of youth in the world these into consideration when number of previous inquiries, machinery of the human rights of criminal responsibility, stating (Saving Children and Revealing Australia struggle to reach (Jersey) called for resource sharing today, calling on Parliamentarians considering new policies, stating the Committee was “appalled in system, detailing the work of the that in some countries it is still as Secrets) organisation in Bermuda agreement on the protection of between smaller jurisdictions, to engage with young people, that this had “created a sense of the lack of cross agency support six United Nations’ Committees low as 10 years old. has helped to reduce the stigma children. stating that the cost of lawyers was particularly using social media. worthlessness that permeates for children in the youth justice and how they relate to protecting Senator Paul Routier (Jersey) around the issue and provided Hon. Mike Summers MLA prohibitive to small jurisdictions Bringing the session to a generations” and “normalised system.” The Committee took and safeguarding children. He acknowledged the powerful training for people working with (Falkland Islands) said that denial looking into issues and drafting close with some final remarks, physical and sexual violence” within evidence from 44 witnesses and spoke to the wish of the United words of Mr R. J. Simpson children. He proudly stated that of child abuse in the community legislation. session moderator, Hon. Randolph the indigenous community. received 42 submissions, as well Nations to involve Parliamentarians MLA, noting that his Parliament Bermuda is the first country in the and in Parliament is a major issue In closing, Mr R. J. Simpson Horton MP (Bermuda) stated Hon. Gregory Raymond Hall MP as visiting the youth detention in the work of the Committees, currently had a Committee world to have over 10% of its adult to overcome. He also spoke about MLA said that the situation faced that many disadvantaged youth (Tasmania) began his contribution centre in question, as well as other enabling them to follow through on of Inquiry underway for child population trained in the prevention the Falkland Islands abolishing by people in the Northwest in our countries are facing a by stating that “providing a safe centres in Australia and New recommendations and see them abuse in institutions as well as a of child sexual abuse. time limits on prosecution cases for Territories was more common myriad of issues. He called on and protective environment for our Zealand. implemented in countries around compensation scheme in place Hon. Michael Weeks MP also abuse of children, as many cases than he previously expected, Parliamentarians to work harder children to grow and develop is a Parliamentarians from the world. for historical child abuse. He issued a call to action for legislators of abuse can take many years to commenting that you could at finding the solutions and having fundamental responsibility for our the Committee made 32 He outlined the details of encouraged Parliamentarians to to do more, including: mandating be revealed. replace ‘Northwest Territories’ the will to ensure that they follow society.” As a part of a bicameral recommendations to improve the communications procedure, learn from the past and detailed the professional rehabilitation Senator Robyn Lynes with ‘Northern Territory, Australia’ through. Westminster Parliament, he the youth justice system and whereby children can appear Jersey’s large investment into and therapy of convicted child (Bahamas) discussed the impact and the historic treatment of focused on the scrutiny of the took them to the executive before the Committees and children’s services. Senator Paul sex offenders; assessment of of social media on children being indigenous children followed a very Recommendations from the Executive Government by the government for consideration. plead areas of concern, with the Routier also called for a focus on offenders before their release back abused, with people not wanting similar pattern. Small Branches Session 2 Upper House, which is comprised One of the recommendations was Committees providing quasi- the whole family to look for signs into the community; the creation to come forward for fear of being He said that it was were: mainly of independent, non-party the appointment of a specialist judicial recommendations that can of risk, as well as teachers and of an accessible sex offenders’ exposed as a victim. She called for time for action rather than • In small states the Parliament affiliated Members. He also Youth Magistrate, which has now assist Parliamentarians in their role police looking for signs regarding register; and mandated training for better regulation and monitoring recommendations and that he must play a pivotal role in highlighted that this was traditional been established as a result of as legislators. Mr Orest Nowosad the safeguarding of children. people working with children. of institutions, stating that children would like to see further movement ensuring legislative and for the state of Tasmania, where the the inquiry after the Committee encouraged legislators to consider Deputy Michelle Le Clerc Hon. Angelo Farrugia MP who were abused at home can to keep indigenous children with administrative safeguards for Upper House is generally viewed as looked at a successful model in their role with regards to oversight, (Guernsey) said that she was a (Malta) spoke about the topical be exposed to more abuse in the their families rather than them our children, including though a house of review. New Zealand. legislative and budgetary functions, former foster carer of teenage issue of child refugees in the institutions that are supposed to being taken into care. its committee system. including ensuring that there are children and this was one of her Mediterranean, referencing the protect them. Hon. Gregory Raymond Hall, • Parliamentarians must be appropriate budgetary provisions main reasons for getting into MP supported the words of the keenly aware of the historic for addressing issues of the rights politics. She described the role of Bahamas and said that the issue and cultural factors that have of the child. “corporate parenting”, whereby is too complex to cover in a short led to the need to protect After hearing the contribution children under the care of period of time. He noted that certain populations of children. from Hon. Gregory Raymond government are the responsibility the Parliamentary inquiry held • Parliamentarians should Hall MP, he also encouraged of Parliamentarians and should be in Tasmania made a significant give due attention to the Parliamentarians to use treated as if they were their own. difference and most of the implementation of human the Committee system and Hon. Michael Weeks MP recommendations were accepted rights mechanisms and parliamentary hearings (Bermuda) spoke about the and adopted, but there were still recommendations ensuring to undertake specialised endemic nature of child sexual improvements to be made. adequate budgetary provisions investigations, as well as to review abuse in Bermuda and other Mr Orest Nowosad concluded for the rights of the child. and study their own framework. countries around the world. He his contribution by suggesting Mr Orest Nowosad also quoted the figures that 1 in 10 that ‘corporate parenting’ was All recommendations from the touched on other global issues children in the United States suffer something that should be looked Small Branches Session 2 were regarding the protection and child sexual abuse, and that the into further. He also described endorsed.

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th and that there has been a 35 CPA Small Branches Conference determination and eagerness by women striving to be elected Small Branches Session 3 - 13 December 2016 into Parliament on the island. Senator Robyn D. Lunes (Bahamas) remarked that all of the presentations had been thought-provoking for ELIMINATING BARRIERS TO women not only in politics but in all areas of life. In her view, women are the ‘drivers’ WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP IN in society and they ought to be encouraged to come to the forefront and play a leading role where the opportunity arises, POLITICS IN SMALL BRANCHES in spite of the negative views of others. Too often women in the community are heavily and unfairly scrutinised, yet men are Moderator: Small Branches Session in Guernsey which called for encouraged. There should be a not treated in the same way as Hon. McKeeva Bush MLA Report: women to ‘work together’. The paradigm shift and this should women in this regard. The session moderator workshop helped to mobilise be put into practice to rid our Hon. Shirley Osborne, (Cayman Islands) introduced the topic ‘Eliminating women and it contributed to societies of these barriers. MLA (Montserrat) stated that barriers to women’s leadership the increase in the number of Traditionally, women’s place the community. However it was gender equality in society kind of treatment. people need to use gender Discussion Leaders: in politics in Small Branches’ women wanting to stand for has been in the home, caring for successfully argued that women including Parliament. Sometimes the perceptions neutral language to help further and also the various discussion parliament and encouraged the children, caring for the health in the low lying atoll islands Previously, the Cook Islands raised about women in their progress in this area. For • Deputy Michelle Le leaders. funding to support this of the family, and so on. Because do a lot of the fish as well. The Public Service across middle own society has not been too example, policeman should be Clerc (Guernsey) Beginning with the first endeavour. Deputy Michelle Le of their varied tasks, women result was that two women MPs management and executive encouraging and people are referred to as police officer. • Hon. Niki Rattle, discussion leader, Deputy Clerc concluded that making became ‘multi-skilled’ covering were included in the new Select positions were male dominated, generally very judgmental about Women should be talking Michelle Le Clerc (Guernsey) funding and resources available wide-ranging areas and so what Committee. however today there has been women. to each other more often Speaker of noted that true democracy ought and working together would better person is there to debate A second example was the an increase in women holding Nevertheless, Hon. Shirley otherwise, we will live in a male Parliament (Cook to provide equal opportunity help to increase the number of in Parliament about education Te Mato Vai Water Project these positions. Hon. Niki Rattle Osborne, MLA encouraged dominated society. Islands) for women and men. As in her women in Parliament. for example than women? Select Committee which concluded that there should be women to be ‘role models’ for Hon. Hamdan Bahari MP jurisdiction, governments should The second discussion leader Hon. Niki Rattle spoke of was also a male dominated equal opportunity for women other women and young girls (Perlis, Malaysia) noted that in • Hon. Shirley Osborne, ensure that adequate funds are was Hon. Niki Rattle (Cook women’s roles in teaching and Committee. Following Hon. Niki and men in all sectors of society. to look up to for their future. Malaysia, the number of women MLA, Speaker of the available for programmes that Islands) who as introduced by training the children in the Rattle’s argument that it was The third discussion leader Women need to speak up and contesting elections and also Legislative A ssembly promote women to participate the Moderator is not a politician, home; looking after the health in fact women who were the for the session was Hon. Shirley speak out, and also to manage entering into Parliament has and be encouraged to stand for but is a passionate ‘humanitarian’ of the family; and ensuring that greatest users of water in the Osborne, MLA (Montserrat). Hon. their environment. Social barriers been very low. Yet in the area of (Montserrat) politics and enter into Parliament. worker being a registered nurse, water and sanitation are looked home (for cooking, washing, Shirley Osborne, MLA noted will continue to plague women academic studies at all levels, Such programmes in Guernsey and a long time worker in the after in the home. Women have etc), the membership of the that even in the labour market but they should persevere and women and young girls have Rapporteur: has increased the number of Red Cross community at national, expertise in all of these roles and Select Committee was changed there are great discrepancies endure and not give up. excelled exceptionally much women standing in elections into regional and global level. She so should be speaking about to include women MPs. where women are considered Hon. Angelo Farrugia, MP more than men and young boys. Mr John Tangi politics and has also attracted became a Speaker of Parliament these issues in Parliament. Hon. Niki Rattle noted that second rate and their potential (Malta) thanked the discussion Senator Monique Gomes (Cook Islands) ‘mentors’ to encourage and in June 2012. Hon. Niki Rattle gave two taking small steps will eventually is undermined. These are leaders for their presentations (Bahamas) said that in their build confidence in women in Hon. Niki Rattle noted that examples from the Cook Islands achieve greater things for the noticeable in the education and stated that ‘equal rights society, successful women are this endeavour. In this regard, this was a topic that she was Parliament to illustrate her point. inclusion of women in politics sector, health care and so on. for women and men’ should viewed by some as being very there was an effective slogan to passionate about, having a The first was the example of and Parliament. Women are There is also the prevalence not be expressed verbally only aggressive and outspoken. further encourage women which ‘humanitarian’ background. the election of Members of the highest number of victims of ‘private violence’ against but should be followed up with Women should be equal with said ‘Women to Win’. As a result, She was disappointed that Parliament onto the Purse Seining from domestic violence and women. In small island commitment and practical men in all areas. there was an increase to 30% the tradition of women trying (Fishing) Select Committee which abuse, yet across the Pacific communities where everyone meaningful actions. He went on Deputy Jonathan Le women Members in Parliament to prove they are worthy to be resulted in a membership of all Region, women have the lowest knows everyone else, even small to say a quotation by the former Tocq (Guernsey) stated that in Guernsey at the most recent Parliamentarians and to be in male MPs. As Speaker, Hon. Niki representation in Parliament. issues relating to a specific female President of Brazil who historically women were well election. politics, still continues in many of Rattle enquired as to the reason MPs are in the best position woman would result in her being said “A better democracy is represented in various areas of In February 2016, under our societies, including the Cook for this and was told that women to get rid of barriers depriving ostracized in the community and where women are elected.” society and it was only in recent the Commonwealth Women Islands. The trend should be for MPs were excluded from the women of opportunities to their chances of moving to the Ms Julie Edge, MHK (Isle modern times when there was Parliamentarians (CWP), women and men to be walking Select Committee in the first enter politics and Parliament next level and even into politics of Man) noted that there were this discrepancy against women. assistance was provided for a and working together. Gender instance because it was assumed by enacting much needed would be minimal. On the other three newly elected women Hon. Jefferson Sousa, MP successful training workshop equality should be promoted and that men do all of the fishing in legislation, and to advocate hand, men don’t experience this in the Isle of Man Parliament (Bermuda) said that in his view,

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were elected as Members of the gender sensitisation and gender ND Legislative Assembly recently. equality in society. Politics on NEWS FROM THE 62 COMMONWEALTH Hon. Niki Rattle (Cook the other hand is perceived as Islands) stated that today there being ‘too confrontational’ and PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE is an increase in the sharing of as a result, there is a reluctance responsibilities between men and by some women to be involved women in the home environment. in politics or even contest For example, some men are Parliamentary elections. caring for the children at home while the women are engaged Recommendations from the in paid work either in the civil Small Branches Session 3 service or in the private sector to were: Commonwealth Parliamentary Operations - Robyn McClelland, House of Representatives, earn an income to support the • Parliaments must ensure Clerks meet in London for Society of Australia family. MPs can design policies that there is funding and Clerks-at-the-Table meetings held • Use of languages other than English in the Chamber - nd and pass legislation to improve support for campaigns to alongside the 62 Commonwealth Michael Tatham, Legislative Assembly of the Northern men should be encouraging and Everyone should be encouraging women’s representation in encourage more women Parliamentary Conference Territory, Australia inviting women to participate in women to engage in politics Parliament. However, even in the to stand for election and • Support for private members’ bills: principles, procedures decision-making. Women should and get elected into Parliament. Parliamentary precinct, steps take leadership roles within As is the custom, the Society of Clerks-at-the-Table (SOCATT) and practice - Andrew Mylne, Scottish Parliament be better represented in greater This should be a collaborative should be taken to establish a parliaments. met alongside the 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary • Co-operative government and intergovernmental relations numbers in Parliament and men effort. We should not be relying children’s care centre for the • Gender Based initiatives Conference at the recent conference held in London, United in South Africa - Eric Modibedi Phindela, National Council should be assisting them. on women to encourage women, children of Members to enable on increasing Women’s Kingdom in December 2016. of Provinces, South Africa Hon. Nicole Lawder, MLA this is a joint initiative between young children to be close to their representation in This was the 52nd meeting of the Society. The tradition of the • Petitions and petitioning in the UK House of Commons - (Australian Capital Territory) posed men and women. Traditionally, parents during the working day. Parliament be backed up Society is for the meeting to be chaired by the host parliament Mark Hutton, House of Commons, United Kingdom the following questions to the women encourage other women, The moderator, Hon. by mechanisms, strategies of the conference, but as the Commonwealth Parliamentary Reports on some recent procedural and constitutional session - ‘How are women elected but today everyone should be McKeeva Bush (Cayman and Fundamental Conference was hosted not by a Commonwealth Parliament, developments in their parliaments and assemblies were also into Parliament? Is it based on merit working together. Islands) concluded by stating Principles including but by the CPA Headquarters Secretariat in London, the given by: Liam Laurence Smyth, United Kingdom, House of or educational achievements?’ and Deputy Michelle Le Clerc that in the Cayman Islands, targets, supported by the Clerks of the House of Commons and Clerk of the House of Commons; Gilbert Lawrence, Western Cape, South Africa; secondly, ‘How do we get women (Guernsey) endorsed the remarks there are opportunities for both CPA. Lords of the United Kingdom Parliament acted as hosts for Michael Sialai, National Assembly, Kenya; Roosme Hamzah, to vote and to offer their support made earlier in the session for women and men alike, with • The logic would suggest the SOCATT meetings. House of Representatives, Malaysia; Tom Duncan, Australian electing other women?’ These greater collaborative efforts similarly, opportunities for young that women experience Around sixty five Commonwealth Parliamentary Clerks Capital Territory, Australia (presenting on the Parliament questions are critical in ensuring between women and men to assist girls and boys. Academically, fewer and less severe and senior officials were able to participate in the SOCATT of Victoria); Paul Martinez, Gibraltar; and John Tangi, Cook greater representation of women with the increased representation young girls excelled much more obstacles to their meetings. Due to the limitations of the conference being held Islands. in Parliament. of women in Parliament and their than young boys at school. leadership ambitions in at short notice in London and restrictions on the number of At the end of the SOCATT Meeting, the Secretaryship of Hon. Niki Rattle (Cook Islands) involvement in politics. Previously, there use to be small branches, but the delegates, a number of members of SOCATT, particularly from the Society passed from Crispin Poyser to the new Clerk of the noted one case in the Cook Islands Hon. Shirley Osborne, MLA ‘system barriers’ either in the civil reality is very different. the Africa and India regions, were unable to join the meetings. Overseas Office of the United Kingdom House of Commons, whereby the voters elected as (Montserrat) also stated that service or in the private sectors, Over three sittings of the Society, papers were presented on: Matthew Hamlyn. their MP a woman who has always previously it had predominantly where discrepancies resulted The first and third • Recent parliamentary developments in the UK - David been a very strong pillar in the been women encouraging in disadvantaging women. recommendations from Natzler and David Beamish, Parliament of the United For further information about the Society of Clerks-at-the- community but does not have a women, but today it was However today, many of these Small Branches Session Kingdom Table (SOCATT) please visit www.societyofclerks.org. good academic background as everyone’s responsibility to so called ‘system barriers’ have 3 were noted. The second • Supporting an inclusive Parliament - Beverley Isles, House oppose to her male opponent assist in this area and to been overcome through the recommendation from the of Commons, Canada Report written by Mr Crispin Poyser, Clerk of the Overseas who has very good academic encourage women to enter recognising of the importance of workshop was endorsed. • ICT applications to support House and Committee Office, House of Commons, Parliament of the United Kingdom. qualifications but only some politics and stand for elections. degree of community involvement. Ms Julie Edge, MHK (Isle of John Tangi (Cook Islands) Man) said that a collaborative noted that the Leader of the effort is necessary to remove Opposition in the Parliament the barriers hindering women’s of the Cook Islands is a first involvement in politics and the term young women MP who opportunities for women to stand defected to the Opposition from for Parliamentary elections. the Government side and was Hon. Nafoitoa Talaimanu elected by a majority of male MPs Keti, MP (Samoa) recently supported by some women MPs, passed legislation to improve to be the Opposition Leader. the representation of women Deputy Carolyn Fiona in the Legislative Assembly Labey (Jersey) agreed with the which was a milestone for the Bahamas Member that women Pacific legislatures. As a result are heavily scrutinised in society. of this Act, five women MPs

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ND NEWS FROM THE 62 COMMONWEALTH ‘Increased Women’s Political Participation will benefit wider PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE society’ says CPA Caribbean Regional ‘Hot Topic’ Forum

Delegates and participants at the CPA Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic Regional ‘Hot Topic’ Forum have heard from a number of speakers on the need for increased women’s political participation for the benefit of wider society as they discussed the ‘hot topic’ of the region - ‘Seeking to Increase ‘Commonwealth’s enduring political Kingdom in December Women’s Political Participation’. values bring challenges and opportunities 2016. The CPA Regional Hot Topic Forum heard from a number for Commonwealth Parliamentarians’ The Commonwealth of distinguished speakers including: Hon. Shirley Osborne says former UK Lord Speaker as the Parliamentary MLA, Speaker of the Montserrat Legislative Assembly and inaugural speaker for new Commonwealth Association Lecture Caribbean Regional Chair of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentary Association Lecture Series Series will offer Parliamentarians (CWP); Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar MP, Members a unique Leader of the Opposition in Trinidad and Tobago and former Former Lord Speaker of the UK Parliament’s House of opportunity to hear Prime Minister; Dr Josephine Ojiambo, Deputy Secretary- Lords, Rt Hon. Baroness D’Souza CMG PC has spoken from distinguished General of the Commonwealth Secretariat; Hon. Rayburn ‘hot topic’ issue is debated to strengthen the resolve, conviction; of the Commonwealth’s enduring political values that Parliamentarians, Blackmore MP, Minister of Immigration and National Security, courage and determination of women to stand for public office bring challenges and opportunities for Commonwealth such as Baroness Dominica; and Professor Verene Shepherd, Director of the and to make their voices heard through this CPA Regional Hot Parliamentarians as she launched the new Commonwealth D’Souza, who have Institute for Gender & Development Studies and Professor of Topic Forum. This forum is the first in a two-part series for the Parliamentary Association Lecture Series. made an outstanding Social History, University of the West Indies. Region; the second we envisage will be delivered in early 2017, As the inaugural speaker in the new Commonwealth contribution to their The Forum was introduced by Ms Siobhan N. O’Garro and where we will continue this interactive dialogue.” Parliamentary Association Lecture Series, Baroness D’Souza nation’s democracy and to the institution of Parliament and all the moderator was Hon. Alix Boyd-Knights MHA, Speaker of The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) commented: “How should we characterise the world we that it represents. Individually, these Members have devoted their the House of Assembly of Dominica. launched the CPA Regional ‘Hot Topic’ Forums in November currently live in? We have conflict, despair, inaction, short- careers to public service and have set the bar of outstanding The CPA Regional ‘Hot Topic’ Forums bring together 2016 in Pakistan in the CPA Asia Region to provide an termism, globalisation, growing disparity between the rich and parliamentary leadership. Collectively, this series of lectures will not only Commonwealth Parliamentarians, but also opportunity for the CPA Membership and the wider community the destitute. I hope that you will agree that there has never been contribute not only to the CPA’s continuing dialogue within its academics, students, civil society organisations and the wider to engage with experts on a particular topic, which is of specific a time when the diversity and unity that the Commonwealth membership, but also to reach out beyond to other stakeholders Commonwealth family. regional relevance. The Caribbean Forum, held on the subject represents has been more needed.” such as members of the international community, the diplomatic The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of ‘Seeking to Increase Women’s Political Participation’, is the The Commonwealth occupies a special place in the world corps, civil society and the wider public. Parliamentary Association (CPA) Mr Akbar Khan said: second Regional ‘Hot Topic’ Forum in the newly launched and stands for the enduring Commonwealth political values, During 2017/18, the Commonwealth Parliamentary “Despite constituting half of the world’s population, women programme and the CPA Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic which are universal and timeless. These include democracy, Association Lecture Series will take place across the CPA continue to be disproportionately represented in governance Region selected the topic. human rights, the separation of powers, good governance and Regions and Branches with lectures due to be delivered in and at all levels of decision-making. The stark reality is that The CPA Caribbean Regional ‘Hot Topic’ Forum was held the rule of law, as stated in the Commonwealth Charter. Africa, Australia, Canada, India and the United Kingdom. Each of globally, there are 38 countries in which women account for in the margins of the 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Therefore, the theme for the new Commonwealth these lectures will be delivered by an eminent Parliamentarian less than 10% of Parliamentarians. It is vital that this burning or Conference, in December 2016 in London, United Kingdom, Parliamentary Association Lecture Series is ‘The Promotion and in the margins of CPA Regional Conferences or governance hosted by the CPA Headquarters Implementation of the Commonwealth’s enduring political values meetings. Secretariat. The CPA Secretariat in - Challenges and Opportunities’. The inaugural Commonwealth The lectures will offer unique opportunities for Members and partnership with the CPA Regions and Parliamentary Association Lecture was held in the margins of the guests to engage with Commonwealth Parliamentarians from Branches will be holding CPA Regional 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, one of largest both within the Commonwealth Parliamentary community and Hot Topic Forums across the nine CPA gatherings of Commonwealth Parliamentarians in London, United from further afield. For Members who are unable to attend in Regions with further forums planned in person, the lectures will be recorded and made available on the 2017-18. CPA website to encourage the further sharing of knowledge, understanding and best practice.

For more information on confirmed speakers and dates CPA Secretariat YouTube channel of future lectures, please visit www.cpahq.org. If your www.cpahq.org/cpahq/youtube: organisation is interested in sponsoring a CPA Lecture or To view video highlights of the other event, please contact [email protected]. CPA Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic Regional ‘Hot Topic’ Forum CPA Secretariat YouTube channel: To view on ‘Seeking to Increase Women’s video highlights of the inaugural Commonwealth Political Participation’ or to view the Parliamentary Association Lecture or to watch the full full session and debate please visit: lecture please visit www.cpahq.org/cpahq/youtube. www.cpahq.org/cpahq/youtube.

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62nd COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE have seen growing numbers of understood and addressed in their religiously unaffiliated people and own national contexts. London, United Kingdom non-believers, as well as those Some Parliamentarians 11 to 17 December 2016 with robust secular, humanist and spoke of the dominant religions ethical traditions. What emerged in their societies having great from the Parliamentarians’ political and social power that CIFoRB Event - 14 December 2016 accounts was a sense of the becomes problematic when necessity to find ways to discuss used to deny FoRB rights to FoRB issues in all their complexity religious minorities. Recent SPACES FOR SOLIDARITY: to avoid misconceptions. legislative efforts to grant rights When construed as ‘religious to religious minorities — for freedom’ or ‘freedom of religion’, example, recognising Hindu FoRB can give the impression marriages and passing laws ENGAGING EFFECTIVELY WITH of being about ‘religious rights’ against forced conversion expression may be restricted Parliamentarians are quite or ‘rights for the religious’. Article in Pakistan or revision of if they offend the religious literally the ‘speakers’ for the 18 has been broadly conceived citizenship registration rules to sensibilities of others or rise communities and nations they FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF as including a range of religious allow Pakistani Hindus and other to the level of hate speech or represent — but there are not Commonwealth Initiative for Freedom of Religion or Belief (CIFoRB) event held in the margins of the 62nd and non-religious beliefs. It is, religious minorities to register incitement of violence. always ‘safe spaces’ for speaking indeed, the case in religiously as citizens in India — attest to Parliamentarians who on freedom of religion or belief Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference - Report by Baroness Berridge (United Kingdom). pluralistic societies that differing new levels of concern about the attended the FoRB gathering across the Commonwealth beliefs can lead to conflict, plight of religious minorities in at the conference emphasised expanse. The CIFoRB project I It is always a huge privilege to challenges and opportunities for (UDHR), in their countries. discussed frankly both the problems discrimination and even outright these Commonwealth nations. the need for dialogue, so lead aims to empower my fellow be among one of the largest effecting change in our 52 nations. Article 18 affords wide-ranging of recognising and speaking out on religious persecution by and Also raised was the issue of that Parliamentarians can Commonwealth Parliamentarians gatherings of Commonwealth This was my desire in leading protections to ‘freedom of thought, behalf of FoRB in their societies, among religious groups. But the national constitutional guarantees of find ways to talk about FoRB to find spaces, terms and Parliamentarians and the 62nd a side event meeting at the conscience, and religion’. It thus but also the urgent need to do so world’s religions are not only FoRB rights, along with protections issues. They also pointed to strategies for speaking out in Commonwealth Parliamentary conference sponsored by the protects not only religion, but a to prevent conflict and promote powerful sources of human rights for freedom of expression in ways the need to create spaces support of FoRB in ways that serve Conference held in London, UK in Commonwealth Initiative for range of other beliefs, as well as the security and development in their in and of themselves, they also that are sometimes in tension. for Parliamentarians to work the needs of their constituents and December 2016 was no exception. Freedom of Religion or Belief right not to subscribe to religious home countries and around the bring resources for transforming Freedom of religion and freedom together on common goals the advancement of their nations. This was my first annual CPA (CIFoRB). CIFoRB drew in beliefs at all. It is not only a right Commonwealth. conflict and securing peace and of expression often goes hand related to FoRB in their The CIFoRB team looks forward international conference, and Parliamentarians from around the of individuals, but also a collective Parliamentarians noted the social development. in hand, since many religions parliamentary bodies, their to providing Parliamentarians it seems, I am getting involved Commonwealth to discuss FoRB right of religious communities ways in which religion can seem Different societies at times may deem speech and other forms of nations and home communities with the knowledge and tools that at a time of new beginnings. — freedom of religion or belief and religious groups. It includes to be excluded from debate, be at different places when it comes expression essential to practicing and around the Commonwealth. they need to achieve these FoRB The Secretary-General of the - and what it represents to them not only private belief, but also the even within the parliamentary to freedom of religion or belief. and propagating their beliefs. Indeed, What the gathering on FoRB goals. The need to address FoRB Commonwealth Parliamentary as elected representatives and public expression of belief in civil halls themselves. One spoke of Nowadays, international human the intersection between FoRB at the 62nd Commonwealth is clearly there - and we at CIFoRB Association, Akbar Khan is new in to their countries at ministerial, society and the public sphere. It is attempting to organise a prayer rights doctrine affords what is and freedom of expression has Parliamentary Conference look forward to helping. his post, and together with the new regional and community level. not merely a right to believe and to breakfast that was opposed by known as a ‘margin of appreciation’ become a key issue in international showed was the need to Although the 62nd Commonwealth Secretary-General As you will all be aware worship, but also inextricably linked other Parliamentarians offended when it comes to recognising the discussions around topics of find spaces for solidarity and Commonwealth Parliamentary Patricia Scotland, charged the CHOGM is due to take place to rights of speech, expression, by such overt expressions of efforts that nations make toward blasphemy, defamation of religions, support among Commonwealth Conference had not taken place room with a sense of excitement in 2018 in the UK, with the assembly, association and religion. Determination of when human rights realisation. This offence to religious feelings, hate Parliamentarians in speaking in Bangladesh in 2016, visiting and confidence in the role that British Prime Minister taking education, alongside the rights to religious expression may be can vary from society to society. speech and even incitement of out on FoRB matters. The day the country is one of my personal Parliamentarians play in ensuring over the Chair. It will be the 25th religious practice and observance. perceived negatively as an offence Thus, the discussion among the violence in recent years. after the CIFoRB event, I was resolutions for 2017 and so good governance and prosperity meeting of heads of government These concerns and others were to the beliefs and feelings of Commonwealth Parliamentarians However, neither freedom is speaking at a workshop at the we look forward to the hosting for their people. After attending of the Commonwealth of manifest at the Commonwealth others can be especially difficult became more nuanced when it absolute, and in some countries, main conference as a discussion of the 63rd Commonwealth the Commonwealth Heads of Nations and it is imperative gathering, as Parliamentarians in Commonwealth nations that turned to how FoRB issues are freedoms of speech and leader on Freedom of Religion Parliamentary Conference in Government Meeting (CHOGM) in that FoRB becomes a familiar or Belief attended by over Bangladesh later this year. Malta, it is progress that freedom of term to all Parliamentarians and 40 parliamentary colleagues. religion or belief is beginning to be Government Ministers. It is imperative this issue is Report by Baroness Elizabeth mentioned by platform speakers. In many ways the special side recognised and that FoRB Berridge. Baroness Berridge is Given the world we live in, event to the 62nd Commonwealth is on the agenda at CHOGM a Member of the House of Lords where so many are experiencing Parliamentary Conference was 2018. I am acutely aware of in the Parliament of the United conflict and persecution and are the starting point. The purpose the overwhelming and pressing Kingdom and Co-Director of targeted due to their religious of this event was to have a challenges Ministers face at such the Commonwealth Initiative for beliefs, it was heartening to focused discussion among meetings, but FoRB shouldn’t Freedom of Religion or Belief. In the feel that my Commonwealth Commonwealth Parliamentarians be seen as another issue, UK Parliament, she Co-Chairs the colleagues - all of us rich in on the importance of FoRB rather as a solution. The 62nd All-Party Parliamentary Group for diversity of beliefs, political protections, as expressed Commonwealth Parliamentary International Freedom of Religion or affiliations, race and nationality - in Article 18 of the Universal Conference proved that FoRB is Belief. [email protected] could come together to discuss the Declaration of Human Rights clearly an issue of the moment. Twitter: @ciforb_uob

68 | The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue One The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue One | 69 A COLLABORATIVE A COLLABORATIVE COMMONWEALTH: UNITY, COMMONWEALTH: UNITY, DIVERSITY AND COMMON DIVERSITY AND COMMON CHALLENGES CHALLENGES

62nd COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE London, United Kingdom 11 to 17 December 2016

UNDP Event - 14 December 2016 COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARIANS DISCUSS TOBACCO CONTROL AND EFFECTIVE PARLIAMENTARY OVERSIGHT

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) held a session for Commonwealth Parliamentarians on the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: ‘Tobacco Control Frameworks and effective Parliamentary Oversight’ at the 62nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference.

When Members of Parliament Convention Secretariat of the in engaging more effectively MPs of the severity of the and death caused by tobacco St Kitts and Nevis, Singapore, In the twentieth century, and with civil society on issues from Commonwealth countries WHO Framework Convention in developing tobacco control tobacco epidemic: “Every six addiction with more targeted Swaziland, Tanzania, the United tobacco killed 100 million people. vital to the promotion of good met in London for the 62nd on Tobacco Control (WHO legislation and oversight of seconds someone dies of a laws and regulations. Kingdom, and Zambia - were It is now on track to kill 1 billion governance and sustainable Commonwealth Parliamentary FCTC), organized a side event tobacco policies, learning from tobacco related illness,” he The building of measures that asked how tobacco control during the twenty-first century, human development.” Conference, there was an at the conference on the experiences across different said. “Legislation is essential in effectively aid public health have measures can support their own and by 2030, 80% of deaths MPs attending the workshop opportunity to advance tobacco implementation of the WHO countries and settings. preventing these unnecessary proved beneficial in supporting work and advance sustainable will be in low and middle income adopted the following control efforts globally. The FCTC. Hon. Alando Terrelonge MP, deaths.” sustainable development, development. countries. resolution by acclamation: “As United Nations Development The objective of the event a first term Parliamentarian from The initiative was driven by tackling issues such as poverty The event also proved a If the WHO FCTC is fully a contribution to sustainable Programme, along with the was to assist Parliamentarians Jamaica, reminded assembled the need to help prevent disease reduction, building food security, good chance to assess the implemented by all 180 Parties development, Parliamentarians assisting economic growth, effectiveness of existing tobacco to the Convention, it could halt must be informed, engaged and delivering better educational control laws in the countries the tobacco epidemic, increase assisted to draft - and provide outcomes and improving represented at the event and government revenues and thorough oversight on the domestic resource flows. provided an opportunity to help achieve the Sustainable enforcement of - legislation for “Every one of the Sustainable learn from experiences shared Development Goals and tobacco control as guided by Development Goals has a between the Parliamentarians. global targets to reduce non- the WHO FCTC.” relevance to tobacco,” stressed Hon. Poto Williams MP, communicable diseases. Lord Faulkner of the United a member of the Health The event was funded UNDP report by Charles Chauvel, Kingdom. “Take ending poverty Committee of the Parliament by the European Union and Team Leader, Inclusive Political in all its forms everywhere. Money of New Zealand, shared supported by Action on Smoking Processes, Governance and spent on tobacco is obviously that country’s experience of and Health (ASH) and the Peacebuilding, United Nations not available for spending on tobacco control. “We saw the Framework Convention Alliance. Development Programme. E-mail: food, education and healthcare. harm tobacco was doing in our Charles Chauvel (a former [email protected] or visit In some African countries, the indigenous communities, with MP and CPA member from www.undp.org poorest households are spending smoking rates twice that of the New Zealand) and Dr Doug as much as 15% of their general population,” she said. Webb, the UNDP officials who disposable income on tobacco,” “Targeting prevention efforts organised the event, observed he added. [and] recognising the needs of that: “UNDP greatly values its Parliamentarians in our most vulnerable groups have partnership with the CPA. We attendance from 10 CPA been central to our successes as look forward to continuing to Branches - the Cook Islands, we move towards a tobacco-free support knowledge exchanges Jamaica, Namibia, New Zealand, New Zealand.” between Commonwealth MPs

70 | The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue One The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue One | 71 8TH COMMONWEALTH 8TH COMMONWEALTH YOUTH PARLIAMENT CYP8 YOUTH PARLIAMENT CYP8

8TH COMMONWEALTH YOUTH PARLIAMENT CYP8: ‘A PLATFORM TO LEARN AND A PLATFORM TO LEAD ’

From 6 to 10 November 2016, the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, was honoured to host the 8th Commonwealth Youth Parliament (CYP8), the first time that this event has been held in Canada.

Fifty-two young people, aged by a blessing by Elder Mary The opening ceremony 18 to 29, from 22 countries, Ann Thomas of the Esquimalt concluded with a poetry reading and representing seven First Nation. This recognition by Zoe Duhaime, the City of Commonwealth Parliamentary acknowledges and shows Victoria’s 2015 Youth Poet Association regions, attended respect for the culture, tradition Laureate and one of the CYP8 with party profiles, and based on of the Legislative Assembly Each session of House Above: Participants, mentors, the 8th Commonwealth Youth and wisdom of the Lekwungen youth Parliamentarians. Ms. their preferences, organized into of Alberta; Kate Forbes MSP, proceedings began with a Prayer parliamentary staff and Parliament (CYP8). Only two people, both past and present. Duhaime performed her poem two parties. In the first caucus Member of the Scottish and Introductions and Statements CPA representatives gather regions, India and South-East At the Legislative Assembly, entitled ‘One Hundred Candle meeting, each party decided on Parliament; Adam Marshall MP, by youth Parliamentarians. These for the opening of the 8th Asia, were unable to send we have a Talking Stick that Bonfire’ which commemorates a name. The Progressive Party Member of the Parliament of items of routine House business Commonwealth Youth representatives. is prominently displayed in the the 100th anniversary of the formed government with 33 youth New South Wales, Australia; and provided the opportunity for youth Parliament at the Legislative The programme began with Chamber, next to the Speaker’s franchise being extended Parliamentarians, and the United Chathura Sandeepa Senaratne, Parliamentarians to introduce Assembly of British Columbia. Hon. Linda Reid a welcome reception at the dais, and we decided that it to some women in British Nationalist Initiative formed Member of the Parliament of themselves and their home MLA has served Robert Bateman Centre, located would be fitting to use this as Columbia. An excerpt of that the Opposition with 19 youth Sri Lanka. Each of the Mentors jurisdictions. Many highlighted experience rising to speak in a as Speaker of the in the Steamship Terminal in the symbol of CYP8, including poem reads: Parliamentarians. Each party also was assigned to either the local culture, natural beauty and parliamentary chamber. Victoria’s Inner Harbour. The using it as the Mace during the vote hasn’t solved all elected a leader, and designated a government or opposition party. resources as well as initiatives and Perhaps the liveliest part of Legislative Assembly Centre houses and displays House Proceedings. but it’s a measure of worth deputy leader, whip and ministers The Mentors provided guidance, causes they were involved in or each day was the Oral Question of British Columbia, the iconic work of Canadian The Talking Stick was a it’s a voice or opposition critics. support, and advice during passionate about. Period. Ministers were questioned Canada since her artist, Robert Bateman. The gift from the Songhees First it’s a light For the first time since caucus sessions and House Youth Parliamentarian Sara by the opposition and government election to the welcome reception provided Nation to the former Lieutenant This was a fitting introduction the Commonwealth Youth Proceedings, and truly became Aslam sought to dispel myths members on their portfolios. the youth Parliamentarians Governor, Steven Point, to to CYP8, where diversity and Parliament became an annual invested as their assigned party about Pakistan, explaining that Key themes raised by youth position in June 2013. with an opportunity to get to commemorate the naming of inclusiveness were evident early programme in 2012, both the faced challenges and successes “women do actually have a voice. Parliamentarians included health Previously, she served know one another, engage with the Salish Sea. In 2014, the on. The youth Parliamentarians government and opposition throughout the week. We’ve had a female Prime Minister, care, post-secondary education, as Deputy Speaker me as Speaker, with Mr Abkar current Lieutenant Governor, had a wide range of backgrounds leaders were women. The Mentors also led we are not all covered. We are not indigenous people and the from 2009 to 2013. Khan, the Secretary-General Her Honour Judith Guichon, and life experience as well as Subsequent caucus sessions educational sessions during all behind closed doors, either.” environment. The passion for of the CPA, the six current presented it to me as Speaker varying levels of parliamentary provided the opportunity to which they shared their individual Youth Parliamentarian parliamentary debate was clear Hon. Reid served as Parliamentarians who would be of the Legislative Assembly of knowledge. Many indicated learn about party politics and to experiences and perspectives Anne Ogada from Kenya as the youth Parliamentarians Minister responsible their mentors, and with many of British Columbia. that one of the most valuable strategize and network. It was on a given topic, followed by a described the work of Hon. supported and challenged one for early childhood the other staff involved in the The Talking Stick serves as elements of the programme remarkable how quickly each question and answer period. Topics Isaac Mwaura, a Member of the another by cheering, desk-banging development and CYP8 programme. a reminder that First Nations was the opportunity to network party developed their messaging, included: the role of a Member of Kenya Parliament who lives with and raising points of order. The official opening of and reconciliation should be a with, and learn from, other and how supportive they became Parliament; Question Period; the albinism and has created the The opposition party held child care. First elected the Commonwealth Youth consideration in all debates and young people from across the of one another. Media; and Campaign Planning Albinism Society of Kenya. the government to account by as a Member of British Parliament, as with all events discussions in the Legislative Commonwealth. As the Leader An integral part of the and the Electoral Process. Mark Munnich explained demanding detailed plans in Columbia’s Legislative at the Legislative Assembly Assembly. In May 2016, Elder of the governing Progressive programme was the involvement The perspectives provided challenges faced by indigenous support of policy, and frequently Assembly in 1991, of British Columbia, began Mary Ann Thomas, along with Party, Ashvini Savanthrapadian of six current Commonwealth by the Mentors were diverse, people in Australia, noting that suggested that government was with the recognition that Elder Elmer George, led a special put it: “The CYP represented an Parliamentarians who graciously transparent, and candid, and “indigenous Australians are fiscally irresponsible. Hon. Reid is British the parliamentary precinct blessing ceremony of the Talking opportunity for people from all served as Mentors during the the youth Parliamentarians more likely to die 17 years earlier Sky Losier, the Environment Columbia’s longest- is situated on the traditional Stick. Elder Thomas explained backgrounds to have a platform to programme: Spencer Chandra really appreciated the than non-indigenous people... Critic, accused the government serving current MLA. territory of the Lekwungen that the Talking Stick is about be heard. A platform to learn. And Herbert MLA and Jodie Wickens opportunity to connect with [and] within our justice system, of “lot of talk, a lot of big talk, a people, now known as the dialogue, relationships, respect a platform to lead.” MLA, Members of the Legislative current Parliamentarians in this indigenous peoples are overly lot of big ideas, but…no plans Songhees and Esquimalt First and “working together and being Prior to their arrival, the youth Assembly of British Columbia; educational, and less formal, represented.” For several of the on how to deliver on these big Nations. This was followed patient with one another.” Parliamentarians were provided Jessica Littlewood MLA, Member setting. young people, this was their first ideas…this government is acting

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Following debate and ‘Soup’, a few lines of which read: to take up office as the Minister Our Party Whip was excellent day, we were addressed by subsequent amendments, All these different paths together. of Environment; I had been keen and we were frequently protected David Spence, President of the the Bill passed and received All these different paths make a to take on the role given my with ‘Points of Order’ and notes Vancouver Island Branch of the Royal Assent. The role of the whole. background – from a farming being passed down the Chamber Royal Commonwealth Society. Lieutenant Governor was played All these different paths, yet family and being now employed as to which way we should It was a very interesting talk by the Honourable Ingrid Moses- wholly, all together, on a renewable technologies be voting. Concessions were and added to the value which Scatliffe, Speaker of the British All blend to make a unique project. We also started to agreed between parties outside we attributed to having this Virgin Islands House of Assembly. flavour. prepare addresses in reply to the of the Chamber and then we experience, something which The British Virgin Islands House It was inspiring to see first- Speech from the Throne later in were instructed as to what the became clearer as the week went of Assembly will host the next hand how CYP8 engaged and the afternoon. Each party had party line would be when these on. Tuesday afternoon was spent Commonwealth Youth Parliament empowered young people from 8th Commonwealth Youth mentors, actual MPs/MLAs aged discussions arose. continuing the second reading in the autumn of 2017. across the Commonwealth. The Parliament: Report by Laura under 35 from Commonwealth On day two of the programme, of the Youth Apprenticeships One of the highlights of the young people really dedicated Elliott Legislatures, and ours advised the main business of the day and Internship Act and in Caucus like money grows on trees.” was in the Chair and asked the programme for many of the themselves to the programme, and Laura Elliot was a young us that our responses should be was the second reading of preparing for the Committee of Honeylynn Lisson, a government to clarify the role of young people was a mock press embraced the opportunities to learn Parliamentarian who participated a nod to our participation at the the Youth Apprenticeship and the Whole and Amendments. government member, advised the Member in question. It was conference held in the Members’ about parliamentary democracy in the 8th Commonwealth Youth event and greetings from our Internship Act which was the Bill During the evening, we spent the opposition that “I myself, and subsequently explained that the Lobby outside of the Chamber. and to network with each other. Parliament at the Legislative home nations. introduced on day one. Youth dinner together watching the the rest of the government look Member was Government Whip At the outset of the programme, Opposition Health critic Stefanie Assembly of British Colombia, After the session began it was Parliamentarians on both sides of results of the US Presidential forward to hearing some proactive and a Minister without portfolio. As youth Parliamentarians were Panesar captured the tone of Canada and represented the clear to see that the Opposition the House spoke to the Bill and Election come in - a surreal and constructive things that the such, as a member of the Executive, provided with potentially the programme when she wrote: CPA Wales Branch. Laura had been advised otherwise and I took the opportunity to speak experience and the atmosphere opposition can suggest in the near it was within his right to respond controversial scenarios on which “Not once did I feel that my voice is a History graduate from our Party Policies were ridiculed about my experience of youth was quite subdued as the future, and I hope that you will stay during Oral Question Period. the press could ask questions. or thoughts were not important; Northumbria University, who has and questions were thrown at education and employment in result became clearer. Youth tuned for what we will provide. The On the second day of Mentors and reporters from that my opinion wasn’t wanted or also completed her PRINCE2 us during their responses to Wales, and how important I feel Parliamentarian statements opposition asked the government proceedings, the government the Legislative Assembly of appreciated. There was a certain Project Management since the Speech from the Throne. informal education and soft skills the following day were heavily if we would be willing to work with introduced Bill 1, the Youth British Columbia served as air to this crowd of individuals that graduating and now works for Any trepidation about how are in creating well-rounded referenced towards the need you, and our Premier said that we Apprenticeship and Internship Act. the press. This ‘real-life’ media welcomed different views and Swansea University in Wales confrontational the sessions and employable individuals to continue to fight for freedom would. But in return, we need you During the second reading debate, experience presented a challenge difficult conversations. I know that on a renewable technologies would be ended there! outside of the classroom. It of speech and equality; whilst to work with us. We need less government youth Parliamentarian and opportunity. As can be [there] are foundations for lifelong project called SPECIFIC. In For the rest of the day we held was fascinating to hear other condemning racism, homophobia, partisanship, and we need more Jamie Murray argued that the Bill imagined, some of the comments partnerships which will continue her spare time, she is heavily another Caucus session, had youth Parliamentarians speak sexism and discrimination. During cooperation.” “absolutely stimulates job creation made by government ministers to broaden each of our minds involved with the Young Farmers the official photograph of CYP8, about their experiences, the morning session it felt like Some of the youth and amplifies opportunity.” Farah in the heat of the moment at the and challenge us to think and act movement - currently Glamorgan prepared for and took part in although predominantly the there was more than a matter of Parliamentarians felt that Hussain, Deputy Premier, further press conference provided for a innovatively. Together our voices are County Chairman and Wales Question Time (an experience I addresses tended to be given miles between us and the USA. party politics and dramatic explained that the Bill will “give lively debate during subsequent amplified and we become stronger YFC Vice Chairman. found to be highly nerve wracking from a perspective which On Wednesday, we had performances in the Chamber [youth] an advantage in the job Oral Question Periods. than we are alone.” as a Cabinet Minister) and was inside the sphere of our an educational session from should be limited given the market, allowing them to get good On the final evening, a dinner During the closing ceremony in The 8th Commonwealth Youth heard mentors discuss the role ‘Commonwealthland’, the fictional MLAs and representatives from educational nature of the jobs, become active citizens and was held at Government House, the Chamber, I wanted to impress Parliament was hosted by the of a Member of Parliament and country that our parliament local press who discussed the programme. Others thoroughly contribute to our society. This the official residence of the upon these young individuals that Legislative Assembly of British introduced our first Bills to the represented. importance of the media in enjoyed these realistic elements. [Bill] is an investment in our young Lieutenant Governor of British if you seek to make a difference, Columbia in Victoria, Canada. I House. During lunch on the second politics and how the relationship During the week, youth people that will be paid back many Columbia and the ceremonial anything is possible. was fortunate to be selected by Parliamentarians embraced times over, during their working home of all British Columbians. In April of this year, we will the National Assembly for Wales’ learning the details of careers, in the form of income tax. Government House is located mark the 100th anniversary of Branch of the CPA to represent parliamentary procedure, It is good for our country, and it is on expansive property in the some women being granted the them at this auspicious event in including familiarising themselves good for our people.” Rockland neighbourhood, right to vote and stand for office in November 2016. with the CYP8 Standing Orders, The opposition critic for surrounded by beautifully the province of British Columbia. On Monday 7 November taking any and every opportunity Justice, Rebecca Cross, voiced manicured gardens, wooded The campaign to extend the vote 2016, I was joined in the to raise a point of order. During concern regarding “the amount areas, a pond, and a small orchard. to this first group of women in Legislative Chamber of British one lively Oral Question Period, of discretionary power the Youth Her Honour Judith Guichon, British Columbia spanned 45 Columbia by 60 participants the Government Whip, Jordan Apprenticeship and Internship Lieutenant Governor of British years, but their dedication and representing Commonwealth Kerr, responded on behalf of Bill gives to the Minister of Social Columbia, hosted the event. As commitment changed the nature Parliamentary Association government a number of times, Development. The minister is to set youth Parliamentarians arrived, of politics in British Columbia. Branches from eight of the nine causing Aaron McDonnell, Deputy targets, but on what basis? What they were greeted by an official Using this story, I reminded the CPA Regions. Leader of the Opposition, to rise will the government be measuring? receiving line, and each had their young Parliamentarians that they I was placed on the on a point of order regarding non- What jobs will these internships lead photo taken. It was a fun and all have the potential to make a government side and we named executive Members responding to? What wage will be specified?” glamourous evening - we were positive difference in shaping the ourselves the ‘Progressive Party’ during Oral Question Period. Echoing these concerns, other even treated to entertainment future of their own communities and elected a female Premier and The Deputy Speaker of the opposition members called for the by youth Parliamentarian Jabari and countries. Deputy. I expressed an interest Legislative Assembly of British creation of an oversight body to Lynch who shared his inspiring in the Environment portfolio and Columbia, Richard Lee, MLA, monitor the programmes. poem about diversity, entitled was selected by the party leaders

74 | The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue One The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue One | 75 8TH COMMONWEALTH YOUTH PARLIAMENT CYP8 ISLE OF MAN CELEBRATES 150 YEARS SINCE THE FIRST GENERAL ELECTION TO THE HOUSE OF KEYS Parliamentary typically worked. This was in “filibuster” tactic of talking for as advance of each party holding a long as possible in answering, to mock press conference. prevent any more questions being The most complicated asked. I would have laughed if procedural session of the week you’d told me at the start of the Report was the Committee of the Whole. week that I would be playing for NEWS AND LEGISLATION FROM COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTS Youth Parliamentarians lead the time, waffling on about Carbon session and we were fortunate in Tax in the Chamber! Government to have a delegate The closing speeches included who had taken part in one of an address from Hon. Ingrid these sessions before to guide us Moses-Scatliffe, Speaker of the through it. It dealt with the step by House of Assembly in the British step acceptance or amendment Virgin Islands who will be hosting of the Bill with suggestions made the 9th Commonwealth Youth from both sides of the Chamber, Parliament next year. It was at this all delegates were present and point a sense of disappointment could contribute to the session dawned, a feeling of sadness that freely. It was an excellent insight our Parliament was coming to a into the stages of progressing an close, and that a new cohort of Pictured outside the Old Court House in Douglas is (from left to right) Dr Act of Law, however, we would delegates would be benefitting Kit Gawne text writer, Speaker of the House of Keys, Hon. Juan Watterson THIRD READINGS have benefitted from more time from this wonderful event and MHK and the President of Tynwald, Hon. Steve Rodan MLC. to be able to thrash out all the experience next year. Québec, Canada details as a lot of compromises I was fully prepared that the The CPA Isle of Man Branch are celebrating the 150th were made on the wording of enormity of the experience would anniversary of the first general election of the House of Page 82 the Bill given the limited time not fully sink in until I returned Keys in 2017. The House of Keys is one of the two Houses available. home. Having been able to reflect of Tynwald, or more formally, the High Court of Tynwald, Australia Federal On Wednesday evening, we on the CYP, it has become clear the legislature of the Isle of Man. The oldest continuous were transported to Government to me that it was a once in a Parliament in the world, Tynwald started in 979, although Page 88 House for the Closing Dinner of lifetime opportunity and one I its roots go further back. CYP8, hosted by the Lieutenant will treasure forever. Being able The first public election of the House of Keys took New Zealand Governor of British Columbia. to gain practical experience place during the period from 2nd to 5th April 1867 and saw Page 94 Judith Guichon was appointed of the parliamentary system 13 of the previous 24 Members elected. The reforms were in 2012 and is the vice-regal whilst working with like-minded major steps towards more competent and mature self- representative of Queen Elizabeth young people who have a range government, and political democracy becoming a reality. India II of Canada in the Province of of different backgrounds and To celebrate, the Isle of Man Post Office has issued a Page 98 British Columbia. It was a very life experiences would be very special set of stamps in celebration of the 150th anniversary great honour to be hosted by the difficult to replicate elsewhere. of the first general election of the House of Keys. Four Lieutenant Governor and shortly The future of the Commonwealth panoramic stamps illustrate the most significant events after our arrival we learnt that is in very safe hands given and individuals that led to the transition to free elections. New Zealand: Resignation of the Prime Minister some of her most recent visitors the calibre of the people in President of Tynwald, Hon. Steve Rodan MLC had been the Duke and Duchess attendance at CYP8 and I said: “These stamps mark a significant milestone in the Page 94 of Cambridge. hope that the Assembly will be life of Tynwald which is the world’s oldest continuous Our final day was very short encouraging of an open dialogue parliamentary assembly - the holding of the first democratic and contained a question period, whilst we establish our own Youth popular elections to the House of Keys in 1867. While the With thanks to our by this time a little more jovial and, Parliament. vote was then given only to property owning males, a few Parliamentary Report and Third SRI LANKA CANADA AUSTRALIA as Government, we employed the short years later the Isle of Man became the very first place Reading contributors: Stephen Boyd (Federal Parliament of Missing Persons Bill passed in Reports from the Fall Sitting of Legislative and parliamentary to give women the vote - in 1881, decades before the UK.” Australia); Ravindra Garimella Sri Lanka Parliament the Canadian Federal Parliament news from the Australian States “I congratulate Isle of Man Post Office for the excellent (Parliament of India); Dr Jayadev quality of this special stamp issue, which vividly depicts Sahu (Parliament of India); Page 78 Page 80 and Territories Election Day in 1867. They will surely be very popular with Michael Dewing (Federal Page 84 the public and collectors the world over - the Island already Parliament of Canada); Luke Harris (Parliament of New has a very high reputation for its stamp issues, for their Zealand); Talitha Rowland design and appeal, and these stamps are no exception.” (Parliament of the United AUSTRALIA UNITED KINGDOM INDIA Kingdom); Tom Duncan Reports from Australia Federal Examination of the size of the Disruption over demonetization (Australian Capital Territory Visit www.iompost.com to pre-order the stamps and visit Parliament House of Lords discussed in India Parliament www.tynwald.org.im/education/history/1867/ for more Legislative Assembly); André Grenier (Québec Legislative Page 90 Page 92 Page 96 information on the 150 year anniversary celebrations. Assembly); Neil Iddawala (Parliament of Sri Lanka).

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of Functions) Bill, will, for reconciliation must be b. ensuring that the e. to request assistance hopefully herald, a new era of founded upon the truth which Members of the OMP shall necessary for the MISSING PERSONS BILL PASSED IN peace and reconciliation in Sri is aimed by this Bill. be persons with previous achieving of its mandates Lanka. Hon. Bimal Rathnayaka, experience in fact finding from any entity The Foreign Minister adding MP, representing the or investigation, human f. to authorize in writing SRI LANKA PARLIAMENT to his speech commented Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, rights law, international a specified officer of the that seven years after the reminded the House of several humanitarian law, OMP to enter without end of the brutal war and the occasions of missing persons humanitarian response, warrant, at any time any Office on Missing Persons such persons went missing, independent entity. Further Other aspects of the OMP defeat and the demise of LTTE in the history of Sri Lanka or possess other place of detention, police (Establishment, Administration and their fate; the Act includes provisions to: mandate include making terror, Sri Lanka is now ready and emphasized that their qualifications relevant station, prison or any and Discharge of Functions) (b) to make • Search and trace missing recommendations to relevant to win the peace and heal support is extended to this to the carrying out of the other place in which any Bill, a Government Bill, was recommendations to the persons, authorities to address the the scars of conflict, sorrow Bill subjected to amendments functions of the OMP. persons is suspected to be passed by the Parliament of relevant authorities towards • Provide assistance to incidence of missing persons, and pain: “this Bill is the first to be made, as this Bill can detained Sri Lanka unanimously on 11 reducing the incidents of relatives of missing protecting the interests of step in healing our own nation make a huge difference in In addition to the General g. to make an application August 2016 and Speaker, ‘missing persons’ within the persons, missing persons and their and its people so that we the process of reconciliation. Powers, OMP has been vested to the Magistrate having Hon. Karu Jayasuriya meaning of the Act; • Set up of a database of relatives, identifying avenues could face the challenges of He further expressed his with following Powers of territorial jurisdiction, for endorsed its certificate on 23 (c) to protect the rights missing persons, and of redress available to the future as a united nation; expectation that justice will Investigation by this Act: - the issuance of a search August 2016. The Act is titled and interests of missing • Set out the procedures missing persons and their unity in diversity!” He further be done to the families with a. to receive, from any warrant the No. 14 of 2016. persons and their relatives and guidelines applicable relatives and informing them stated that sixty years after grievances whose members relative of a missing h. to refer, after due The Bill was introduced in as provided for in the Act; to the powers and of same, and collating data independence, two youth went missing, through this Act. person, or any other consultation with the the Sri Lanka Parliament by (d) to identify proper functions assigned to the related to missing persons insurrections and a 26-year- The Act mandates to person or organization, complainant, to the police the Prime Minister, Hon. Ranil avenues of redress to which OMP. from previous processes old war later, Sri Lanka is establish an Office on Missing complaints relating to or any other relevant law Wickremesinghe on 22 June such missing persons or The OMP Act is observed carried out by other entities now ready to commence Persons consisting of seven missing persons enforcement authority all 2016 and proceeded through their relatives may have as a significant juncture in and centralizing all available the healing process of our Members who shall be b. to initiate an inquiry cases of missing persons the subsequent processes recourse. the country’s journey towards data within the database wounded and fractured nation. appointed by the President and/or investigation that have been brought of Sectoral Oversight This Act enabled the reconciliation which sets out established under this Act. Against such a backdrop, this on the recommendation of into the whereabouts before the OMP not falling Committee, Committee of the establishment of the Office on a proper legal mechanism in Initiating the Second Bill would be the first step in the Constitutional Council. and/or circumstances within the definition of whole Parliament, Second Missing Persons (OMP) with keeping with the demands for Reading debate, the Minister healing our own nation and its Such recommendation shall of disappearance of a the expression ‘missing Reading and Third Reading in a range of powers in terms truth and justice by victims of Foreign Affairs, Hon. people so that we could face also consist of more than one missing person pursuant persons’ as defined in the the Parliament. of addressing the cases of across Sri Lanka. Mangala Samaraweera the challenges of the future name for consideration by the to a complaint Act. This Bill was enacted to missing persons including The OMP has a broad emphasized the significance as a united nation; unity in President, to be appointed as c. to take all necessary The Clause 14 outlines enable the provisions: those missing as victims of mandate. The primary is of enacting this historical diversity. the Chairman of the OMP. In steps to investigate cases the provision to ensure the (a) to provide appropriate abduction, persons missing in to search for and trace Bill among all other Hon. M.A. Sumanthiran, making recommendations for of missing persons rights of missing persons mechanisms for searching action or otherwise missing missing persons and identify Bills introduced by the MP, Member of Parliament the appointment of Members d. to apply to the and relatives without any and tracing of missing in connection with armed appropriate mechanisms Government recently as representing the Tamil to the OMP, the Constitutional appropriate Magistrate’s discrimination and Clause 15 persons, and to clarify the conflicts, political unrest for the same, and clarify the the Office on Missing National Alliance, council shall, have due regard Court having territorial denotes the management of circumstances in which and civil disturbances as an circumstances in which such Persons (Establishment, congratulated the Government to:- jurisdiction, for an order the information confidentially. persons went missing. Administration and Discharge for taking this preliminary step a. ensuring that the of court to carry out Amendments for some in the process of reconciliation composition of the OMP an excavation and/or clauses of the Bill were moved in the country by enacting reflects the pluralistic exhumation of suspected by both the Government and this Bill. He stressed that nature of the Sri Lankan grave sites the Opposition and passed in whatever steps that are taken society; and the Parliament unanimously.

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October had been chosen for • Hon. Patricia A. Hajdu, • Hon. John McCallum, current first-past-the-post appointment to the Senate, had MP, became Minister of the former Minister of system came second with CANADA FEDERAL PARLIAMENTARY turned down the appointment. Employment, Workforce Immigration, Refugees and nearly 43% of the votes. On 8 February 2017, the Development and Labour. Citizenship, left Cabinet However, given that voter standings in the Senate She had been the Minister to become Canada’s turnout was only 36%, Premier BUSINESS IN THE FALL SESSION were 39 Conservatives, 34 of Status of Women. Ambassador to China. Wade MacLauchlan said it was Legislation in the Fall of proportional representation. (Citizenship and Emergency debate on non-affiliated (Independent • Hon. Maryam Monsef, • Hon. MaryAnn Mihychuk, doubtful whether the plebiscite Session In a supplementary report, Immigration); Refugee Travel Senators Group), 8 other non- MP, who had been Minister MP, the former Minister of constituted a clear expression During the fall session, six however, the Liberal Members • Creating the Conditions for On 31 January 2017, the affiliated and 19 Liberals; there of Democratic Institutions, Employment, Workforce of the will of the population and government Bills received of the Committee said the Economic Growth: Tools House of Commons held were five vacancies. became Minister of Status Development and Labour, he did not commit to making Royal Assent. This brought recommendations in the for People, Businesses and an emergency debate on of Women. left Cabinet but will any changes immediately. to 15 the total number report were “rushed” and “too Communities (Finance); the United States’ decision Changes to the Cabinet • Hon. Karina Gould, continue to serve as an MP. of government Bills radical to impose at this time.” • Supporting Peace regarding refugee travel. On 10 January 2017, Prime MP, became Minister of Election in the Yukon passed during the Liberal Following the tabling of and Development in Minister Trudeau made the Democratic Institutions. She Plebiscite on electoral reform In a territorial election on 7 government’s first year. Six of the report, the Minister of Guatemala and Colombia The Senate following changes to his cabinet: had been Parliamentary in Prince Edward Island November 2016, the Liberal Party these were supply Bills. Democratic Institutions, for the Long-Term (Foreign To accommodate the increased • Hon. Chrystia Freeland, Secretary to the Minister of In late October and early defeated the Yukon Party, which During the fall session, Hon. Maryam Monsef, MP, Affairs and International number of non-affiliated MP, became Minister of International Development. November 2016, voters in the had held power for 14 years. The the government introduced criticized the Committee Development); senators, who do make up a Foreign Affairs. Previously • Hon. Ahmed D. Hussen, province of Prince Edward Liberals won 11 of the 19 seats 16 pieces of legislation in the for failing to recommend a • Report and caucus as currently defined the Minister of International MP, became Minister of Island, including 16- and in the Legislative Assembly (up House and three in the Senate, specific alternative voting Recommendations on the by the Rules of the Senate, the Trade, she will continue to Immigration, Refugees and 17-year olds, cast ballots from one seat in the previous bringing to 41 the total for the system; she subsequently Opioid Crisis in Canada Senate adopted in December be responsible for relations Citizenship. He is the first in a non-binding plebiscite legislature), the Yukon Party government’s first year. apologized. In January 2017, (Health); a motion under which non- with the United States, Canadian MP of Somali on changing the province’s took six seats (down from 12) Among the Bills that passed she was replaced as Minister • Toward a New Action Plan affiliated senators were given including trade relations. descent. electoral system. They were and the New Democratic Party during the fall session were Bill of Democratic Institutions by for Official Languages and proportional representation • Hon. François-Philippe • Hon. Stéphane Dion, the asked to rank five different took two seats (down from six). C-2, which made changes to the Hon. Karina Gould, MP. Building New Momentum on Senate committees. The Champagne, MP, became former Minister of Foreign electoral systems by order of The main issues in the election marginal tax rates for personal On 1 February 2017, for Immigration in Senate also adopted a motion Minister of International Affairs, left Cabinet and preference. The mixed-member were relations with First Nations, income, and Bill C-26, which Minister Gould released her Francophone Minority that would allow the recently Trade. He had been announced that he was proportional representation resource development and increases Canada Pension Plan mandate letter from the Prime Communities (Official formed Independent Senators Parliamentary Secretary to leaving politics. system came out on top with the environment. Liberal leader benefits by as much as 50%. Minister, Rt. Hon. Justin Languages); and Group (ISG) to receive funding. the Minister of Finance. 52% of the votes, while the Sandy Silver became premier. Trudeau, MP, in which he said • Reaching Out: Improving The media subsequently Committee reports that because a consensus on Service Delivery to reported that the ISG had been On 1 December 2016, the a new electoral system had not Canadian Veterans allocated funding with which to all-party House of Commons emerged, he was not asking (Veterans Affairs). establish a Secretariat. Special Committee on her to change the electoral On 1 January 2017, Electoral Reform tabled its system. The opposition parties Senate committee reports Conservative Ontario Senator report on electoral reform. The criticized the Prime Minister for included: Hon. Nancy Ruth retired Committee had been asked abandoning his commitment • Interim Report: Outbreak upon reaching the mandatory to study voting systems that to bring about a change. of Bovine Tuberculosis in retirement age of 75. could replace the current Other House of Commons Alberta (Agriculture and January 2017 also saw first-past-the-post system, Committee reports that were Forestry); the retirement of two Liberal as well as mandatory voting tabled during late 2016 included: • Finding Refuge in Canada: senators from Nova Scotia, and online voting. Its report • Protecting the Privacy of A Syrian Resettlement Senator Hon. Wilfred P. did not recommend a specific Canadians: Review of the Story (Human Rights); Moore and Senator Hon. alternative voting system, Privacy Act (Access to • Deployment: Prioritizing James Cowan. but instead recommended Information, Privacy and commitments at home On 31 January 2017, Quebec a method for evaluating Ethics); and abroad (National Senator Hon. Josée Verner alternative voting systems. • Genetically Modified Security and Defence); left the Conservative caucus to The report also recommended Animals for Human • Dementia in Canada: sit as a non-affiliated senator. that a referendum be held on Consumption (Agriculture A National Strategy Non-affiliated New whether Canadians prefer and Agri-Food); for Dementia-friendly Brunswick Senator Hon. John the current voting system or • Interim Report on Media Communities (Social Wallace resigned on 1 February an alternative system. As for Study: the Impact of Affairs, Science and 2017. In doing so, he kept the mandatory voting and online Digital Technology Technology); and pledge he made to then-prime voting, it recommended that they (Canadian Heritage); • Pipelines for Oil: Protecting minister Stephen Harper to not be implemented at this time. • After the Warm Welcome: our Economy, Respecting serve only an eight-year term. The Committee noted that Ensuring that Syrian our Environment (Transport In February 2017, the those who wanted change Refugees Succeed and Communications). media reported that Harvey were overwhelming in favour Max Chochinov, who in

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THIRD READING: QUÉBEC, CANADA

Between September and December 2016, the to believe that a wrongdoing could pose a The third chapter authorizes Hydro- production and storage of hydrocarbons are National Assembly of Québec passed 12 public serious risk to a person’s health or safety or Québec, the state-owned enterprise that to be paid. bills (8 unanimously). to the environment may, given the urgency produces and distributes electricity in of the situation, disclose it directly to the Québec, to grant financial assistance to Environment Public administration public (or the media), provided he or she first public transit authorities. Hydro-Québec will On 26 October 2016, the National Assembly Bill 87, An Act to facilitate the disclosure of communicates the information to a police also help finance Montréal’s electric network unanimously passed Bill 104, An Act to wrongdoings relating to public bodies, was force or to the Anti-Corruption Commissioner. project presented by the Caisse de dépôt et increase the number of zero-emission passed unanimously on 9 December 2016. Lastly, the Act prohibits reprisals, such placement du Québec, which manages the motor vehicles in Québec in order to reduce The purpose of the Bill is to establish a as demotion or dismissal, against a person pension funds of public and parapublic sector greenhouse gas and other pollutant emissions. protection regime to protect ‘whistleblowers’ who makes a disclosure or cooperates in an employees. The Act establishes a system of credits in the public and parapublic sectors against audit or investigation. Anyone who believes In its fourth chapter, the Act also enacts and charges applicable to the sale or lease in reprisals. a reprisal has been taken against him or her the Petroleum Resources Act, whose purpose Québec, by motor vehicle manufacturers, of The Act implements Recommendation 8 may file a complaint with the Public Protector is to provide a legal framework for the new motor vehicles. Almost all manufacturers of the report of the Commission d’enquête or the Minister of Families. Sections 33 to 35 exploration for and development of petroleum are subject to the Act. sur l’octroi et la gestion des contrats dans provide penal sanctions for anyone guilty of and natural gas.2 In its 2014 Action Plan on Under this system, the motor vehicle l’industrie de la construction: [Translation] “The taking a reprisal. Hydrocarbons, the Government indicated manufacturers concerned must accumulate Commissioners therefore recommend that the it was in favour of “limited and regulated” a number of credits by selling or leasing new Government: Improve the protection regime for Energy and resources development of those resources that is motor vehicles that are completely or partially whistleblowers in order to guarantee: On 10 December 2016, the National compatible with its greenhouse gas emission electrically propelled or by acquiring credits • the protection of their identity, regardless Assembly passed Bill 106, An Act to reduction targets and ensuring the longevity from another motor vehicle manufacturer. of the authority to which they make a implement the 2030 Energy Policy and to of Québec’s petrochemical industry. Motor vehicle manufacturers that have not, by disclosure; amend various legislative provisions, by a Section 55 of the Petroleum Resources the end of a three-year period, acquired the • assist them in the disclosure process; and majority vote. The Act comprises four chapters Act grants companies holding a petroleum number of credits prescribed by regulation • provide financial support, if necessary.” 1 and over 400 sections. production or storage licence a “right of must pay a charge to the Government (s.8). The Act provides that anyone may make a This Act establishes, in its first chapter, access to the territory” subject to that Québec is the first Canadian province to disclosure regarding any ‘wrongdoing’ to the a new government agency: Transition licence. Those companies may enter into implement a zero-emission vehicle standard. It Public Protector (Québec Ombudsman) or énergétique Québec. This agency’s mission an agreement with the owner of the land joins ten American States, including California to the Minister of Families (if the wrongdoing is to support energy transition, innovation concerned. If no agreement can be reached, and several Northeastern States that have occurred in a childcare centre, subsidized and efficiency in Québec and coordinate the company may resort to expropriation seen the number of zero-emission vehicles private day care centre or home childcare the implementation of all of the measures proceedings. Under an amendment to the rise and the price of such vehicles drop. The coordinating offices). Employees of a public necessary to achieve the energy targets introduction version of Bill 106, however, Québec government believes that adopting body may also make disclosures regarding defined by the Government. the Government’s prior authorization will be this system should cause zero-emission a wrongdoing to a designated person within The targets to be achieved by 2030 required for such expropriations, and the vehicle sales to increase to 15.5% of all each public and parapublic sector entity. include: enhancing energy efficiency by 15%; Government may set conditions for granting vehicle sales in 2025. Under section 4, a ‘wrongdoing’ means reducing the amount of petroleum products such an authorization. any act that constitutes or consists in a consumed by 40%; eliminating the use of Under other amendments to the Bill, contravention of a Québec or federal law, a thermal coal; increasing overall renewable regional county municipalities may determine, References breach of standards of ethics or professional energy output by 25%; and increasing in their land use and development plans, which 1 Commission d’enquête sur l’octroi et la gestion conduct, a misuse of public funds or gross bioenergy production by 50%. territories are incompatible with exploration for des contrats dans l’industrie de la construction, mismanagement. However, section 5 The second chapter of the Act to or the production or storage of hydrocarbons. Rapport final, 24 November 2015, t. 3, p. 111. excludes situations where someone makes a implement the 2030 Energy Policy modifies Those modifications to local by-laws must, 2 According to the Ministère de l’Énergie et disclosure “for personal purposes rather than the governance of the Régie de l’énergie, a however, receive a favourable opinion from des Ressources naturelles, sedimentary basins in the public interest”, such as a disclosure regulatory body authorized to set electricity the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land with favourable characteristics for hydrocarbons pertaining solely to a condition of employment and natural gas rates. These modifications Occupancy as well as from the Minister of cover an area of more than 200,000 km2 along or whose purpose is to question the merits promote the use of mediation as part of the Energy and Natural Resources. the St. Lawrence River. However, the department of the policies of the Government or a public consumer complaint examination procedure. Lastly, section 233 of the Petroleum estimates that only a small proportion of the total body. In such cases, the Public Protector will Chapters 1, 3 and 4 of the Act to implement Resources Act establishes an Energy resources can be extracted in a cost-effective stop processing the disclosure (s. 12). the 2030 Energy policy include other Transition Fund into which the royalties manner. Anyone who has reasonable grounds modifications. determined by the Government for the

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commenced two new inquiries Members of the Legislative provides that a Member owed in respect of her family – one into the rules for Council only, and an index with must provide an oral English home had been paid that day. On PARLIAMENTARY NEWS FROM Questions and the other into confidential information redacted translation prior to speaking 3 November 2016, the Minister the rules for notices of motions. was then made public. in the other language. made a personal explanation The compliance with Additionally, the Member must advising the House that she AUSTRALIAN STATES AND TERRITORIES Order for papers from a the order for papers from a also table a written translation had inadvertently omitted listing statutory body: Greyhound statutory body is a significant and provide the original text her mortgage on the Members’ 3,000 secondary school President of the Legislative Votes of Members with the AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL welfare development for the Council. of the speech in the other Register of Interests and that in students each year. These Council, Hon. Don Harwin TERRITORY care of a child In late 2015, the Legislative Members of the Committee language for incorporation into 2014, prior to her becoming a include mock sittings, mock MLC, led a delegation of In 2016, the President of the New Council ordered the production all spoke in support of the the Parliamentary Record. Member, she had fallen behind committee hearings, seminars Members to the Solomon South Wales Legislative Council, ACT Election returns more of documents from Greyhound motion, and emphasised On 24 November 2016, Hon. on her mortgage repayments for and debates. The programmes Islands, Port Moresby and Hon. Don Harwin, MLC referred Members and greater Racing New South Wales (NSW) the unanimous agreement Yingiya Mark Guyula, MLA, a short time. are a fundamental part of the Bougainville. The purpose of the to the Procedure Committee percentage of women regarding greyhound welfare. reached by the Committee the Member for Nhulunbuy, Later in the evening the The last sitting of the 8th school visit experience at the visit was to undertake a needs an inquiry into young children In response, the Government members on the report’s gave notice of a motion on use Minister advised that following Legislative Assembly of the Parliament, but are currently assessment for future twinning accompanying members into advised that Greyhound Racing 35 recommendations. The of language in the Legislative Question Time that day, she had Australian Capital Territory offered on non-sittings days only, activities following the end of the House. The Committee NSW, being an independent government’s response to Assembly as follows: become aware that her vehicle was held on 11 August 2016 limiting the number of students DFAT funding. subsequently tabled its report on statutory body, was not subject the report, received on 2 1. That this Assembly registration had not been paid and the Territory went to the who can attend. Funding has The delegation met and 20 October 2016 after examining to direction or control of the December 2016, indicated remove all words in by the due date the previous polls on Saturday 15 October now been secured to construct held discussions with the whether the prohibition of Government. No return to the support for a majority of the Standing Order 23A and week, and although she had 2016 (the Assembly has fixed a purpose-built education centre Presiding Officers of our twinned visitors on the floor of the order was received. recommendations, including replace with the following: taken immediate steps to four year terms). It was the at Parliament House, which will parliaments, Members, and senior chamber should be relaxed, Legal advice subsequently the establishment of a Stolen A Member may rise to rectify the issue, she had driven first time Territorians elected provide a new facility for role- officers of relevant public sector so as to ensure that Members obtained from Mr Bret Walker Generation’s reparation scheme. speak in any language the vehicle the day after the 25 Members of the Legislative plays, seminars, debates and departments and agencies. The who have responsibility for the SC concluded that so-called other than English so long registration had expired. The Assembly, up from 17 MLAs. more, enabling the Parliament delegation also held insightful care of young children are not ‘independent’ entities, groups or NORTHERN TERRITORY as an oral translation is Minister advised that as this did The make-up of the 9th to offer important education meetings with non-government prevented from fully participating persons with public functions, provided in the English not meet the high standards set Legislative Assembly is as programmes to more students bodies of civil society. in the business of the House. such as Greyhound Racing 2016 Northern Territory language by the same by the Premier for all Members follows: than ever before. Construction is The discussions with The Committee NSW, are amenable to orders for Legislative Assembly Member immediately of the government, she had • Australian Labor Party expected to begin towards the Members were most valuable recommended that the House papers addressed to them by Elections prior to or after the words decided to resign from Cabinet. (ALP) - 12 MLAs end of this financial year and will in that they will shape what will vary the standing orders to the Council. Mr Walker noted that The Northern Territory General spoken in the language On 8 November 2016, the • Canberra Liberals - 11 MLAs continue into 2018. probably be a more Member-to- provide the President with the it then follows that Greyhound Election was held on Saturday other than English. Leader of the House advised • ACT Greens - 2 MLAs Member focus for our twinning discretion to have the vote of Racing NSW is compelled to 27 August 2016. The Australian 2. That a new Standing that the Minister for Police, Fire Of the 25 new MLAs Update on twinning activities in the immediate future. a Member caring for a child comply with the order “on pain Labor Party won 18 seats and Order 23B be adopted as and Emergency Services and elected, 13 were women, activities with the Solomon The delegation also and seated in the President’s of its responsible officers being the Country Liberals won 2, with follows: A Member may be Minister for Corrective Services, which comprises 52% of the Islands and Bougainville presented certificates to gallery counted in a division. On in contempt of the House.” 5 independent Members also assisted on the floor of the Hon. William Byrne MP, had Assembly’s Members – a first Parliaments staff from the Parliament of 9 November 2016, the House On 14 September 2016, the elected. Of the 25 Members Assembly by an interpreter also been appointed as the for the Legislative Assembly and In October 2016 the Usher the Solomon Islands and agreed to a new sessional Council passed a further order of the 13th Northern Territory to provide interpretation Acting Minister for Agriculture one of the largest percentages of the Black Rod from the the Bougainville House of order that implements this for the production of documents Legislative Assembly, 12 are from the English language and Fisheries until further notice. for an Australian legislature. Parliament of New South Representatives who had recommendation. The President on the same matter. The Council women. Additionally, the new into the first language On 29 November 2016, Wales, travelled to Honiara to successfully completed the also made a statement on the asserted that Greyhound Racing Labor Government appointed of the Member and from the Premier tabled the participate in a UNDP workshop requirements of the customised operation of the rule by stating NEW SOUTH WALES NSW is ‘obliged’ to provide the largest female majority the first language of the gazette notice regarding the for the Speaker and the Clerk of Parliamentary Law Practice and that Members will need to advise requested papers and also Cabinet in Australian history, Member into English. The appointment of Hon. William the National Parliament of the Procedure course delivered in the Chair each time they request Parliament’s first purpose- called on the Minister for Racing with 5 women appointed to an 8 interpreter will only be Byrne MP as Minister for Solomon Islands. Honiara during 2016 with the to make use of the new provision. built education centre to require the documents be person Ministry. present for the purposes of Agriculture and Fisheries and The Parliament of New At the end of October and support of the Parliament of In late November 2016, the produced, pursuant to the newly The Northern Territory interpreting and not for any Minister for Rural Economic South Wales plays a vital role early November 2016 the New South Wales. Procedure Committee also enacted s27 of the Greyhound Legislative Assembly other purpose and must Development and Hon. Mark in educating primary and Racing Prohibition Act 2016 continues a trend of strong vacate the floor when not Ryan MP as Minister for Police, secondary school students within 28 days. Indigenous representation undertaking those duties. Fire and Emergency Services on the topic of civics and On 12 October 2016, – in every election since the and Minister for Corrective citizenship, providing an Greyhound Racing NSW Assembly’s establishment in QUEENSLAND Services. Further the Premier understanding of modern delivered 48 boxes of public 1974, at least one Indigenous announced the appointment democracy and how students documents and 118 boxes of member has been elected – Changes in Ministry of Ms Jennifer Howard MP can contribute in future years. privileged documents. On 10 with 6 Indigenous Members On 2 November 2016, the as Assistant Minister of State The Parliamentary Education November 2016, at the request of elected in 2016. Minister for Agriculture and assisting the Premier and and respective Chamber the Administrator of Greyhound Fisheries, Hon. Leanne Mr Glenn Butcher MP as and Support Services teams Racing NSW, the Council agreed Standing Orders Donaldson MP made a Assistant Minister for Local currently deliver tour and to treat the index returned on The introduction of Standing ministerial statement advising Government and Infrastructure. role play programmes in 12 October as privileged and Order 23A, Speaking in a the Legislative Assembly of the Legislative Chambers to available for inspection by Language other than English, Queensland that rates arrears around 8,000 primary and

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Motion to separate Advocacy Bodies) Bill 2016 Member from the interpretation VICTORIA table a message stick from the of order two Bills that had been Queensland into two states to establish a Commissioner of ‘Stranger’. The Committee community of Beagle Bay. This introduced in and passed by On 15 September 2016, Mr for Children and Young unanimously agreed that Changes to Ministers’ message stick was handed to the Legislative Council. One of Robert Katter MP gave notice People and establish the Child the greatest opportunity be Statements Ms Josie Farrer MLA in 2013 by these bills, the School Boarding of a motion for debate that, the Development Council. afforded to Members who are Ministers’ Statements were first the families of Beagle Bay who Facilities Legislation Amendment House support the separation The question on the mothers of infant children for introduced to the Legislative had lost relatives to suicide. and Repeal Bill 2015, was a high of Queensland into two states suspension was put and agreed their continued participation in Assembly of Victoria’s question The message stick has been profile Government Bill, whilst in accordance with section to. The Bill was read a first time the proceedings of the House. time in early 2015 as part of described as “the baton of life”, the other Bill (the Constitution 124 of the Commonwealth and the second reading was then The Committee further agreed a plan to modernise question in the hope that it will encourage and Electoral Amendment Bill Constitution, with the moved by the Attorney-General. that provision should be made time. The new sessional better approaches to suicide 2016) was a Private Member’s boundaries to be determined by Pursuant to Standing Order 238, for a period of maternity leave orders stated that government prevention, and in recognition Bill promoted by a Member of an independent body such as the debate must be adjourned of absence to be available as Members could no longer of the Aboriginal voices that the National Party, which had the the Redistribution Commission. to a future day, however at the a discrete category from the ask questions without notice. contributed to the Committee’s Government’s support. In considering whether the conclusion of the Attorney- leave of absence generally Instead, after each question work. The message stick will be Both Bills were ruled out motion was out of order, the General’s contribution, the available to members. from a non-government displayed in a public area of the of order on the grounds that Speaker of the Legislative Deputy Leader of the Opposition, On 17 November 2016 Member, a Minister could seek Parliament. they involved an appropriation taking up valuable time, and a that the suspension be lifted if Assembly of Queensland, Hon. moved to further suspend the House agreed to amend the call to make a statement There was also a focus on of public funds and, as such, broader scope would prevent these provisions were not able to Peter Wellington MP was of Standing Orders to enable the Standing Orders 48 and 412 on new government initiatives, ICT in Committee reports. On should have received a this and allow Ministers to the view that the proposed passage of the Bill through all to provide: projects and achievements be used successfully. The Leader 22 September 2016, the Public certificate from the Governor provide more information. motion, if agreed to, would stages without delay. The motion 48. (1) A Member shall under their portfolio. of the Government returned to Accounts Committee tabled and been introduced in the The changes suggested not be effective consent by was agreed to with an absolute not be absent during the The wording ‘new initiatives, the House on the last sitting day its report, ‘Doing ICT Better: Legislative Assembly, pursuant in the minority report were the Queensland Parliament majority of the whole number of Session for more than projects and achievements’ of the year - 8 December 2016 Improving Outcomes from the to s46 of the Constitution Acts supported by a majority of within the meaning of section Members of the House. Fourteen days at a time, was subject to many points - after completing the full six- Western Australian Government’s Amendment Act 1899. The Members in the House and 124 because the territory to The urgency with which without the express leave of order during Ministers’ month suspension. Investment in Information and President of the Legislative adopted into sessional orders on be separated from the state this legislation was dealt with of the House, and any statements. The Opposition The suspension of the Leader Communications Technology Council tabled a legal opinion 23 June 2016. Since then there was not identified with any indicates the desire of the House Member wilfully infringing frequently took points of of the Government for the full (ICT)’ and the Education and from a senior counsel which are have been far fewer points of precision. The motion, if agreed to move as quickly as possible this Order shall be held order stating that a Minister six months created associated Health Standing Committee stated that, as a matter of law, order on Ministers’ Statements. to, would simply express an to provide better protection to guilty of contempt. wasn’t speaking about new problems for the House, tabled its report, ‘ the School Boarding Facilities opinion of the House on the children and young people. (2) Except that, a Member information or about their own including who would respond to Auditor General’s report on Health Legislation Amendment and issue and was a matter for shall be entitled, without government’s achievements. Leader of the Government’s questions asked of his portfolio Department’s Procurement and Repeal Bill 2015 did not involve Period of Suspension during question time and the House to determine. The TASMANIA a vote of the House, to 12 For example, Ministers often Management of its Centralised any appropriation from the In the Victorian Legislative motion was debated that weeks maternity leave of used statements to talk about whether he was permitted to Computing Services Contract’. Consolidated Account. The Council on 9 March 2016, attend Joint Sittings. evening and was not agreed to. New ‘Family Friendly’ absence, such leave to how federal government senior counsel also suggested the Opposition introduced a Standing Orders be taken in a consecutive decisions affected their End of the 39th Parliament that, despite the previously motion seeking to suspend WESTERN AUSTRALIA SOUTH AUSTRALIA On 15 November 2016, the period from the date its portfolio, which was only in of Western Australia understood wording of s46, the Leader of the Government, Standing Orders Committee commencement is notified order if they talked specifically The 39th Parliament of Western the matter was capable of Mr Gavin Jennings MLC, for Children and Young People of the Tasmania House of to the Speaker in writing. about a new project or initiative Committee reports Australia ended in a flurry of determination by a court. a period of up to six months On 17 November 2016, (Oversight and Advocacy Assembly tabled a report in 412. (1) No Members of to deal with that external event. activity as 21 Bills were passed The prospect of court action for the Government’s failure to the Education and Health Bodies) Bill 2016 regards to the application of the this House shall bring any The rules for Ministers’ by the Parliament and sent to the attracted some media attention, produce certain documents, Standing Committee of the The protection of children has Standing Orders and Rules of Stranger into any parts of Statements were changed in Governor for assent in a hectic although the President of the arguing that failure to provide Legislative Assembly of become a controversial topic in the House of Assembly in so far the House appropriated June 2016 after the Standing final two sitting weeks of 2016. Legislative Council publicly these documents constituted Western Australia tabled its recent years. In order to address as enabling a female Member, to the Members of this Orders Committee reported on A total of 155 bills were stated that legal action was report, ‘Learnings from the this issue, the Government who is the mother of an infant House, while the House, its inquiry into hours of sitting an obstruction of a request of enacted over the four years unlikely to be resorted to in message stick: The report of South Australia has been child, to properly participate or a Committee of the and operation of the House. the Council. After considerable of the Parliament. This is well order to resolve the impasse. of the Inquiry into Aboriginal introducing legislative reforms in the proceedings of the Whole House, is sitting. The Committee’s majority debate on the motion, the down on the recent average The School Boarding youth suicide in remote areas’. to implement recommendations House. The Standing Orders in (2) Paragraph (1) does report did not recommend Opposition moved a closure of 60 bills a year (or 240 for Facilities Legislation The Committee’s inquiry came made by the Child Protection question were those regarding not apply to a female changes to Ministers’ of debate motion on 25 May a Parliament). The Western Amendment and Repeal Bill about as a result of a motion Systems Royal Commission ’Strangers’ in the House. These Member feeding, or Statements, but a minority 2016 (Standing Order 12.25) Australia State General Election 2015 was renamed the School moved by Report, published in August 2016. standing orders were by and otherwise caring for, their report from government to end debate and put the Ms Josie Farrer will be held on 11 March 2017. Boarding Facilities Legislation On Tuesday 20 September large prescribed in 1857 at a infant child (who is under Members recommended question. The closure motion MLA, calling for urgent action to Amendment and Repeal Bill and suspension motions were address the high levels of youth 2016 the Attorney- General time before women had the twelve months of age) defining the topic of statements Council Bills Ruled Out of 2016 and introduced in the passed and the Leader of the suicide amongst Aboriginal moved to suspend Standing vote in Tasmania and certainly who is not disrupting the as ‘about matters related to Order by the Speaker of the Assembly with a Governor’s Government was suspended communities in remote parts of and Sessional Orders to without the contemplation of proceedings of the House. their portfolio’, removing the Assembly certificate. The new Bill was the State. Ms Farrer was co-opted introduce two Bills to the women as Members. requirement that topics be from the House for 6 months. In a somewhat controversial end passed in the Council by means onto the Committee for the House of Assembly of The Committee considered new and about projects or Despite the motion including to the Parliament of Western of a suspension of those duration of the inquiry. South Australia including a number of options including achievements. The minority a provision allowing the Leader Australia, in the final sitting standing orders relating to the On the tabling of the report, the Children and Young pairing arrangements, and report argued that points of of the Government to return to weeks, the Speaker of the “same question” rule. the Chair of the Committee People (Oversight and excepting the infant child of a order during statements were the House earlier if all documents Legislative Assembly ruled out were provided, a Member moved took the opportunity to also

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THIRD READING: AUSTRALIA

During debate in the Senate, Labor Senator terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq. At least 58, information. The special advocate provides Louise Pratt commented that “the Prime and potentially as many as 66, Australians are an important safeguard in ensuring that the Minister and this government know that this believed to have been killed in the conflict, while procedural rights of the subject of a control order legislation is unpopular; it is not a vote winner; approximately 40 Australians have returned proceeding are upheld.” and its basis is completely unfounded and to Australia after travelling to Syria or Iraq and Senator Brandis concluded that “the unjustified. It is, in fact, a political witch-hunt.” joining groups involved in the conflict. Some Australian Government is committed to fulfilling Senator Pratt noted that “the government of these returnees remain a significant security its most important responsibility—protecting established an $80 million political witch-hunt concern. There are about 200 people in Australia Australia, its people and its interests. We will royal commission in an attempt to justify it being investigated for providing support to continue to do so while instilling confidence that unsuccessfully. The royal commission report individuals and groups in Syria or Iraq, including our national security and counter-terrorism laws weakened, rather than strengthened, the case through funding and facilitation, or are seeking will be exercised in a just and accountable way, for the re-establishment of the ABCC, and that to travel.” consistent with the values of a free and open re-establishment in this legislation is completely Senator Brandis reported that the National society.” and utterly unnecessary. As we know, we already Terrorism Threat Level for Australia is Probable. Labor Senator Hon. Jacinta Collins have a building industry regulator in place and This means there is credible intelligence noted the support of the opposition for the therefore the choice before this parliament today that indicates that individuals or groups have legislation. Senator Collins commented that is not whether to establish a regulator, because developed both the intent and capability to “control orders are a useful tool for our police we already have one—the fair work building conduct a terrorist attack in Australia. forces. They are reserved for serious cases commission which already has coercive powers. Some of the key measures in the legislation and have been used very sparingly since first In its last annual report the FWBC had 124 include enabling control orders to be imposed introduced into Australian law in 2005. As of investigations and used its coercive powers on on persons from 14 years of age; imposing an February this year, just six had been issued. 14 occasions. So, clearly, we have a regulator, obligation on a person subject to a requirement A court can issue a control order only if it will and it is working. There is, in my view, no need to wear a tracking device to maintain the substantially help prevent a terrorist attack, or to replace it, particularly when we know exactly tracking device in good operational order if the person against whom an order is being what the legislation before us will do—we have and create offences for interfering with the made has trained or participated in training with a seen it before.” operation of a tracking device; establishing listed terrorist organisation, engaged in a hostile Independent Senator Nick Xenophon regimes to monitor the compliance of individuals activity in a foreign country or been convicted of commented that “the opposition and others have subject to a control order through search a terrorism related offence. Labor believes that tried to label the Heydon royal commission - warrants, surveillance device warrants and our security agencies and national institutions which was not perfect - as a political witch-hunt, telecommunications interception warrants; and should have the powers and resources they but its finding and the large body of evidence enabling the Australian Security Intelligence need to keep Australians safe from the threat of presented and the evidence in numerous Organisation to furnish security assessments terrorism. Labor’s commitment to our security court proceedings cannot be lightly dismissed, directly to states and territories. agencies and institutions extends to ensuring neither can the previous royal commissions. In relation to the need for control orders that resources are available to combat the threat They certainly raise the question of whether our to be imposed on persons from 14 years of terrorism, and we will continue to support existing legislative framework is strong enough to of age, Senator Brandis commented that legislative updates to make sure we can meet properly address these issues.” “recent experience, including law enforcement future demands.” operations, has shown that young persons can Senator Collins noted, however, that “our Counter-Terrorism Legislation pose a significant risk to national security through bipartisan assistance to the government on Amendment Act (No.1) 2016 their involvement in planning, supporting, and matters of national security is never a blank Building and Construction Industry Senate twice rejecting this legislation, we have Unfortunately for too many years, the industry This legislation further strengthens Australia’s executing terrorist acts. Regrettably, recent cheque.” Senator Collins stated that “we (Improving Productivity) Act 2016 a clear mandate to proceed with our election has provided the worst examples of illegal national security laws and counter-terrorism events demonstrate the necessity of our law pursued improvements in the Parliamentary The Building and Construction Industry commitment to re-establish the Australian industrial behaviour, unnecessary disruption framework. The Attorney-General Senator enforcement agencies being able to access Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, (Improving Productivity) Act is a critical piece Building and Construction Commission and unrest. Two royal commissions have now Hon. George Brandis commented that the full suite of measures in relation to young where Labor members and senators closely of legislation for the Australian Federal (ABCC). Re-establishing the ABCC will boost identified systemic unlawful behaviour in the “Australians currently face the most significant persons.” scrutinised the Bill and heard evidence from government. In the previous parliament, the economic growth and generate more jobs in construction industry.” threat from terrorism in our nation’s history. Senator Brandis noted that “the Government security agencies and a range of experts and legislation was rejected twice in the Senate the building and construction industry. The Mr Turnbull commented that “the main object The Australian Government continues to work has implemented Recommendation 5 of the community groups. We achieved 20 substantial and became a double dissolution trigger for the building and construction industry is a key driver of this Bill is to provide an improved workplace diligently towards combatting the threat we face Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence recommendations for improvements to the Bill. election held in July 2016. of growth and vital to the competitiveness and relations framework to ensure building and from terror groups and individuals, both overseas and Security to create a special advocate role In negotiations with the government we pursued The Prime Minister, Hon. Malcolm prosperity of the Australian economy.” construction work is carried out fairly, efficiently and at home. Sadly, by any measure, the threat to represent the interests of persons subject to these improvements on which we have achieved Turnbull, MP on re-introducing the legislation, Mr Turnbull noted that “the building and and productively for the benefit of all building we face has only risen.” control order proceedings where the subject and agreement.” stated that “following the double dissolution construction sector accounts for around industry participants and for the benefit of the Senator Brandis noted that “around 110 their legal representative have been excluded election, which we called as a result of the eight per cent of gross domestic product. Australian economy as a whole.” Australians are currently fighting or engaged with from hearing or seeing sensitive national security

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The Prime Minister noted appropriately, in accordance political donations system. back in 2015 I introduced a bill that “once again, the model with the rules, but also in a In addition, he canvassed following the ‘chopper-gate’ MEMBERS’ TRAVEL SCRUTINIZED IN is the process that is used in manner that gets value for the need for a Federal scandal involving Bronwyn the United Kingdom. We’re money. In other words, we’re Independent Commission Bishop that would have led not slavishly bound to the spending it as though it was against Corruption (ICAC). to more transparency, an AUSTRALIA FEDERAL PARLIAMENT United Kingdom model, I might money from a business of Mr Shorten stated that “no independent watchdog, add, but that is the very clear our own. We should spend discussion about electoral greater financial penalties, the travel undertaken. The Turnbull is trying to mask between Canberra and Albury Travel entitlements under direction that we are focused it with even more care and reform and rebuilding the the public having a right to distinction between public and his frontbencher’s breach of even though it is slightly less scrutiny again on.” more attention than we would confidence of Australians in complain, and also monthly The Minister for Health and private business should be as ministerial standards with a than a four hour drive. Mr Turnbull concluded that spend our own money. We are the political process can take disclosures of pollies perks, Aged Care, clear as possible when dealing review and delays. Australians On 13 January 2017, the Hon. Sussan “as politicians, backbenchers fiduciaries for the funds that place without having an open yet that was rejected out of Ley, MP, has resigned after with taxpayers’ money.” deserve better. What does it Prime Minister, Hon. Malcolm and Ministers, we should be we have - fiduciaries for the and honest discussion about a hand by the major parties.” significant public scrutiny Ms Ley advised that “I take for this Prime Minister to Turnbull, MP, advised that as careful and as accountable people of Australia.” federal ICAC.” Senator Xenophon said that of her travel claims. It was have spoken to the Prime come out of hiding and act? he had received advice from with taxpayers’ money as The Leader of the Independent Senator Nick “right now, the current rules alleged that Minister Ley, while Minister and he agrees that How many failings are Turnbull Ms Ley of her intention to we possibly can be. We are Opposition, Hon. Bill Shorten, Xenophon has called for are like being slapped with a using tax payer funded travel this claim does not meet the government ministers allowed resign as Minister. At the dealing with other people’s MP, supported the need for harsher penalties for breaches wet piece of lettuce.” entitlements, purchased an high standards he expects of to get away with?” same time, the Prime Minister money. The Australian people reform of travel expenses of entitlements rules. Senator apartment on the Queensland Ministers. I apologise for the The reporting of Ms took the opportunity to are entitled to see that but insisted that reform must Xenophon stated that “what Gold Coast. Ms Ley is the error of judgement. Tomorrow Ley’s initial indiscretion led advise the Australian public we are spending it wisely, go further and look at the dismays me about all this is member for a New South I will ask the Department of to more intense scrutiny of his intention to reform the Wales regional electorate. Finance to invoice me for of her official travel more allowance and entitlement On 8 January 2017, the the costs for the car and generally. An analysis of her system which would be Shadow Minister for Health travel allowance claimed expense records showed that based on the UK model. The and Medicare, Hon. Catherine on Saturday 9 May 2015, she had claimed 37 nights Prime Minister stated that King, MP, commented including the relevant penalty accommodation on the Gold “the Government believes that “what appears to have applied to erroneous claims.” Coast involving 27 flights that the work expenses of occurred in this case is On 9 January 2017, Ms Ley since 2013. When Ms King Parliamentarians, including that we’ve got a Minister advised that she would stand was asked about this she Ministers, should be who has gone to Brisbane aside from the Ministry without commented that “well lots administered and overseen to make an announcement ministerial pay pending an of Australians love the Gold by an independent agency. that frankly could have investigation into her travel Coast, but this Minister seems This already happens in been made anywhere - it entitlements by the Secretary to really like the Gold Coast. some jurisdictions - notably wasn’t a Brisbane-specific of the Department of Prime For official business, that does in the United Kingdom. An announcement. She’s Minister and Cabinet. Ms Ley seem a very high number of independent parliamentary then used Comcar - so concluded that “I look forward trips, and I think it’s probably expenses authority will be a taxpayer-funded cars to to working with the Secretary worth comparing that against compliance, reporting and drive to the Gold Coast, and to ensure this is done as what other ministers’ - who transparency body. It will accommodation to stay on quickly and transparently as live outside of Queensland monitor and adjudicate all the Gold Coast, and made a possible and I look forward - travel is to the Gold Coast. claims by MPs, Senators purchase of an apartment.” Ms to resuming my important Of course you want people to and Ministers, ensuring King noted that the Minister work in the Health, Sport and represent the country and to that taxpayers’ funds are needs to explain whether she Aged Care portfolios at the travel around, but that many spent appropriately and in has used her entitlements earliest opportunity.” Ms Ley trips to the Gold Coast over compliance with the rules. The correctly and if not then she was confident that she had what is a relatively short period body will be governed by an should resign. not broken any travel rules of time does seem quite high.” independent board, which will Ms Ley responded that but did recognise that it was Ms King noted public reports include a person experienced she “travelled to Brisbane on public perception or the ability that the cost of this would be in auditing - in audit matters - 9 May 2015 to make a major to pass the ‘pub test’ that was around $40,000. a person with wide experience announcement about the critical with these issues. In addition, it has also in remuneration matters, the availability of new medicines Ms King responded that been alleged that Ms Ley, President - for the time being - at a specialist breast cancer “yesterday Sussan Ley said who is a licensed commercial of the Remuneration Tribunal, clinic and to meet with patients there was consensus between pilot, has claimed travel a former judicial officer and a in Brisbane and on the Gold her and the Prime Minister expenses of more than former MP.” Coast.” Ms Ley noted that that her claim to purchase $13,000 to pilot charter planes A key feature of the “while attending an auction an apartment on the Gold along commercial routes new framework will was not the reason for my visit Coast ‘does not meet the where there were cheaper be a requirement for to Queensland or the Gold high standards he expects commercial options. The monthly disclosure of a Coast, I completely understand of Ministers.’ Despite this reports alleged that Ms Ley Parliamentarian’s expenses in this changed the context of clear-cut admission, Malcolm regularly chartered planes a readily searchable format.

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current position: “We have an early summer 2017. As the Emphasising that the Commonwealth from the UK opportunity to make progress. Lord Speaker remarked on Commonwealth could be Government. UK HOUSE OF LORDS DEBATES It is clear that there is strong setting up the Committee: instrumental in specific UN feeling across all Benches “this is not an easy task. priorities such as boosting Court dress and wigs in the The size of the UK a key part of his election that the size of the House is However, if this issue can be trade and addressing House of Commons Parliament’s House of Lords platform in the summer of an issue of concern and that settled, I hope that the public climate change, Baroness Court dress and wigs have The size of the upper house 2016 it was clear where the noble Lords want to continue will be better able to recognise Berridge asked, “When will been worn by the Clerks at of the UK Parliament, the balance of opinion lay. discussions about how we the true value of this House.” we, in the words of the noble the Table in both Houses of House of Lords, with a Any reform to the might address this although I Lord, Lord Howell, ‘utilise the UK Parliament for several membership of over 800, composition of the House of think it is also fair to say that UK international relations this underutilised network’.” centuries, however from 20 has long been a source of Lords, particular by legislative there is not currently clear debate focuses on She also urged that “the UK February 2017, Clerks at criticism and sections of means, is notoriously difficult agreement on what a solution Commonwealth benefits should look to encourage the the Table in the House of the UK press have not been to secure. Add to this the might be.” The House of Lords engaged UN and its Secretary-General Commons have been wearing slow to use the fact that the various issues which arise Although many Members in a debate on the ‘UK’s to engage with religion gowns over dark suits, with House is the largest second with almost any of the had used the debate to international relations in the and freedom of religion or court dress and wigs reserved chamber in the world to seek proposed solutions and the advocate a Select Committee light of Brexit, including its belief.” The Conservative for use on formal occasions to undermine its credibility. lack of consensus is not on the subject, the outcome future engagement with the peer is the director of the only. Peers are appointed for life difficult to understand. was the establishment of a UN and the United States’ Commonwealth Initiative This follows a decision and, although there is now a The options mooted have ‘Lord Speaker’s Committee.’ following a report from the for the Freedom of Religion taken by the House of mechanism for members to included age limits, term Significant in itself as a House of Lords International or Belief - a project which Commons Commission. In retire, this is voluntary and limits and a proportional procedural innovation, Relations Committee on supports Parliamentarians to a letter to the Procedure still in in its infancy. New lists reduction from each of the the Committee was more the priorities of the new UN speak out about the freedom Committee, the Clerk of of party political nominations party groups, either on the significant in being the first Secretary-General. of religion and belief. She the House, David Natzler have now become an almost basis of attendance and formal body set up to look at The UK Minister for the joined other members of the explained the arguments annual feature, with many of contribution record or on the the issue with the support of Commonwealth, Baroness House of Lords in highlighting that had led him to put the appointments proving basis of an election within the leadership of all benches. Anelay spoke about the critical importance this proposal forward. The controversial both within and each group. However there The Committee is currently the intergovernmental of the Commonwealth in increase in the number of outside the House. is no obvious correlation taking evidence on “practical organisation’s “immense international relations. clerks undertaking roles at Until relatively recently, the between age and the value and politically viable options global reach” and “huge Other peers, including the Table was one practical proposition that the size of of the contribution made to that might lead to progress” potential to exert influence on Baroness Deech also factor, but the unhelpful the House was a problem was the House and age and term and is expected to report by issues of global importance.” called for more focus on the image that court dress can strongly contested, with the limits could disproportionally convey was also stressed. Government, keen to protect affect different party groups. The Clerk explained that wigs the Prime Minister’s power Contribution and attendance could present “an unhelpfully to appoint, maintaining that it records also have their forbidding image to Members was important to refresh the difficulties, especially for the who may not realise that part membership from time to time Crossbench group where of the purpose of having Clerks and that calls for a reduction in many members, appointed at the Table is to advise all size failed to take into account for their expertise in particular Members, not just the Chair; the part-time nature of the subjects, confine the majority that the image they convey to House. of their contributions to these those watching proceedings However, over the past areas. live or on television is of year or so a consensus has Any proposal likely to quaintness and of a chilling gathered around the idea find favour would also need and antique formality, far that action of some kind is to ensure that the gender removed from the desire of necessary. This has partly and regional balance of the House to present itself been fueled by the press membership was not as a forum of open debate attention given to recent adversely affected. Finally any and scrutiny, reflective of the appointments and high profile measures to reduce the size people we serve.” support from within Parliament without a new understanding The announcement by but the issue has also been about the numbers coming the Speaker of the House brought into increasing focus into the House, or a cap on of Commons, Rt Hon. John by the knowledge that the numbers risk making the Bercow, MP received a mixed House of Commons is to be entire endeavour futile. reception from Members but reduced in size to 600, making In December 2016, Mr Speaker stressed his own failure to address the issue in responding to a debate on the support for the changes. It is the Lords less defensible. issue, the Leader of the House unclear as yet whether the When the Lord Speaker, of Lords, Baroness Evans of House of Lords will consider Lord Fowler, made the issue Bowes Park summed up the following suit.

92 | The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue One The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue One | 93 PARLIAMENTARY REPORT NEW ZEALAND NEW ZEALAND RESIGNATION OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF NEW ZEALAND Resignation of Prime Hon. Annette King MP Minister John Key (Deputy Leader, Labour) On 6 December 2016, at the opened her speech with an Policing (Cost Recovery) Amendment Bill THIRD READING: NEW ZEALAND behest of the leaders of the acknowledgment of the Prime The Policing (Cost Recovery) Amendment Bill amends the Policing Act Labour Party and New Zealand Minister’s commitment and 2008 to enable the police to charge for demand services - defined as First, the House held an urgent lengthy service: “[It] is a time those that constitute policing, are provided only by request, and are of direct homes and livelihoods had been affected by the quake. those who need it during this period. debate on the announcement to thank him for his 8 years benefit to the individual or organisation requesting them. Other than vetting The Hurunui/Kaikōura Earthquakes Recovery Bill was introduced by Hon. Opening the third reading debate, Mr Chris Bishop MP (National), of Rt Hon. John Key MP as Prime Minister of New services, the Bill does not specify services for which costs can be recovered. Gerry Brownlee MP (National), Acting Minister of Civil Defence, who explained the Member in charge of the Bill, noted that “More than 500 New (National) to resign his post as Zealand. … [Prime Ministers] The provision for non-demand services, such as conducting criminal that the Bill set out a proposal that would allow a specified list of legislation to Zealanders are waiting for an organ transplant, and approximately 450 of the 38th Prime Minister of New work incredibly hard, they investigations or responding to emergency calls, is not affected. be amended by Order in Council for the earthquake-affected areas, where these people are waiting for a kidney transplant.” He explained that “The Zealand. make a huge commitment The Bill also provides for the making of regulations to authorize the necessary or desirable for recovery. He added that it was a flexible mechanism current compensation regime amounts to the equivalent of the sickness Speaking to Mr Key’s to the country, and it takes a Commissioner of Police to exempt, waive or refund the whole or any part to allow the Government to react quickly to a range of issues. There was some benefit, and it inadequately recognises and supports the hardship that character, then Deputy great toll on them and their of a charge or fee prescribed by regulations made under the Bill. question over whether powers should be more broad-ranging to allow for these individuals face when they make the choice to give up an organ in Prime Minister Rt Hon. Bill families. I wish him well in his The Minister of Police, Hon. Judith Collins MP (National), moving the emergency scenarios in the future, or whether powers should be specific to the order to save a life.” English MP (Leader, National) years ahead.” third reading on 1 November 2016, noted that “The New Zealand Police is earthquake in question and the areas affected by it. Although the financial assistance was originally set at 80% of the told the House that Mr Key However, Opposition one of the few police services worldwide that does not have legislation that Mr Stuart Smith MP (National), Member of Parliament for Kaikōura, donor’s income, a Select Committee recommendation to increase it to had “always believed you Members were also critical of explicitly allows for some degree of cost recovery.” Speaking in support of returned to Wellington in time for the reading of the Bills. He explained that 100% was adopted by the House. Responding to this, Ms Catherine get the best from people the Prime Minister’s record. the Bill, Ms Jacqui Dean MP (National) said: “Police vetting is becoming his constituents were already asking questions about when the legislation Delahunty MP (Green) said: “I am delighted that the Health Committee with confidence, not with Rt Hon. Winston Peters MP increasingly common and increasingly necessary, and part of employment.” would be enacted and when they could start the recovery phase. He said: “I persuaded the Government - not the Government, but the owner of the Bill divisiveness” and that “the (Leader, New Zealand First) Opposition parties voiced concerns that the Bill does not specify know that it has been over 3 weeks since the earthquake and that a heck of a - that we should go from 80 to 100% compensation because there are way he has conducted his exit stated: “Eight years ago he any services other than vetting for which costs may be recovered. Mr lot has happened, but if you are the people living in it, it seems a heck of a long hidden costs. There are huge stresses and there is huge courage involved from his position illustrates campaigned on a four-point David Clendon MP (Green) stated: “It is the thin edge of the wedge of time. So they are really very grateful that things are moving. I told them that I with people who donate organs.” the graciousness and the plan to solve what he called commercialising the services that police provide for us.” was coming back here today and that this would be passed today, so I really MPs were generally highly supportive of the Bill, with Hon. Annette consideration that he has ‘the housing affordability Ms Meka Whaitiri MP (Labour) said: “The extensions to the statutory do thank everybody across the House on their behalf.” King MP (Deputy Leader, Labour) stating that “it is not often that a shown every single day that I crisis’. He talked of ‘the powers given to the New Zealand Police do not just limit it to charging for Hon. David Parker MP (Labour) said his view on the proposed powers Member gets to have a Bill supported by all Members in the House and for have worked with him”. enormity of the problem’ and vetting services … but actually open the potential to look at generating was “the same as it is in respect of taxation - as little as possible but as much it to go through all stages and become the law of the land.” Mr David Seymour MP [said] that it was the second- income through other means.” as necessary. So the philosophy that I and the Labour Party took to this Ms Ria Bond MP (New Zealand First) noted that “It is good to see (Leader, ACT Party) echoed Mr worst housing affordability Mr Jonathan Young MP (National) explained: “What this Bill does is Select Committee is that we needed to give the executive as few powers to that this Bill has also been futureproofed for further live donated transplants English’s praise, describing problem in the whole wide it enables the agency … to be able to recover its costs … resources that, in override primary legislation as is possible but as many as are necessary. With carried out in other countries but not yet here in New Zealand.” Mr Key as “one of the most world. … Eight years later the spending on this process, not only can be reallocated to building a very complete that in mind, I think we have largely achieved that.” Mr Parker added there However, several members pointed out that more work still needed to affable, unflappable people housing crisis has seriously and sustainable and efficient vetting process but can enable the existing resources were aspects of the Bill he did not find perfect, but he believed the Bill had be done in regard to deceased organ donations, with Ms Poto Williams I have ever known. At certain worsened. … A generation of of the Police to be better dedicated to the frontline work that it does.” “got to a reasonable place”. MP (Labour) explaining that “on the driver’s licence that you get, there is an times … I have said to myself: New Zealanders is growing up However, Mr Mahesh Bindra MP (New Zealand First) commented that Ms Eugenie Sage MP (Greens) noted: “some have certainly suggested indication of your availability to be an organ donor. Many of us have indicated ‘That guy is the Prime Minister and will never, ever own their “police vetting is inseparable from basic policing. The police force and the services it that it would be desirable to have legislation around recovery from a national that that is what we want, but it does not guarantee that when you do pass of New Zealand, dealing with own homes.” provides are funded from tax revenue, and we believe that it should stay that way.” emergency prepared as much as possible in advance. Certainly, superficially, away your family will actually live up to those wishes and do that.” very serious issue X, and doing Ms Metiria Turei MP Hon. Judith Collins MP commended the Bill and said: “Cost recovery by public that is attractive because it means that the issues are considered in a it in a way that does not show (Co-Leader, Green) said: “the sector agencies in New Zealand already occurs, and leads to better allocation reflective and a measured way, but I think the shortcoming is that because a hint of being flapped under first thing he did when he of taxpayer resources. I believe there is a strong case for this to include cost such legislation is generic, it would have to provide very broad powers and, pressure, or of panic.’” became Prime Minister was recovery for policing services where the service is of direct benefit to individuals or potentially, larger powers than are needed.” to give tax cuts to the rich … organisations.” The Bill passed its third reading by 63 votes to 56. Mr Denis O’Rourke MP (New Zealand First) supported the Bill, leaving working families who saying his party’s concerns had been addressed. He said: “all parties were subject to the harms Earthquake recovery legislation worked very well together on the Local Government and Environment caused by the global financial At 12.02 a.m. on 14 November 2016, New Zealand was rocked by a Committee, so that after a lot of hard work, I might say, consensus was crisis right out of the picture.” magnitude 7.8 earthquake. The ‘Kaikōura’ earthquake, centred near the reached on virtually all of the changes to the Bill”. Prime Minister John Key’s South Island town of Culverden, caused widespread damage to road and resignation was effective from rail infrastructure and resulted in the deaths of two people. Compensation for Live Organ Donors Bill 12 December 2016. He was On 29 November 2016, urgency was accorded to the passing of The Compensation for Live Organ Donors Bill, a private member’s bill, succeeded as Prime Minister two Bills related to the Kaikōura earthquake: the Hurunui/Kaikōura passed into law on 5 December 2016 after receiving unanimous support and leader of the National Earthquakes Recovery Bill and the Hurunui/Kaikōura Earthquakes at its third reading. Its intent is to provide financial assistance to people Party by his deputy and Emergency Relief Bill. All sides of Parliament worked collaboratively to who choose to donate an organ and, as a result, forgo income during Minister of Finance, Rt Hon. pass the legislation in a timely manner in order to assist those whose their recovery. The Bill also provides childcare assistance payments for Rt Hon. John Key MP Bill English MP.

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The Winter Session of the India November 2016. The government general consensus in this regard Parliament that commenced on took this step with a view to and the Government was ready 16 November 2016 concluded curbing financing of terrorism for a discussion, the Chairman of DISRUPTION OVER DEMONETIZATION on 16 December 2016. In this through the proceeds of fake Rajya Sabha, Shri Mohammad He demanded constitution of a while not disagreeing with the by the common people and On 30 November 2016, session, Parliament could Indian currency notes and use Hamid Ansari suspended the Joint Parliamentary Committee Prime Minister’s argument requested the Speaker of Lok many Members of Lok Sabha not transact much of its of such funds for subversive day’s List of Business to take up (JPC) to look into the entire that this was the way to Sabha, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan expressed concern about business because of frequent activities such as espionage, the discussion immediately. The issue. Shri Sitaram Yechury curb ‘black money’, prevent to allow discussion under a rule the stalemate. Shri Kharge interruptions and adjournments smuggling of arms, drugs and opposition Members insisted (CPI-M) said demonetizing 86% growth of forfeited currency that entails voting. He demanded requested the Speaker to allow on the issue of demonetization other contrabands into India, on the presence of the Prime of currency in circulation had notes and help in control of the presence of the Prime discussion under any rule that of certain high value currency and for eliminating ‘black money’ Minister in the House during created a complete mayhem in terrorist finance activities, said Minister during the discussion. entailed voting. Shri Mohammad notes. Expressing her concern which cast a long shadow of the discussion. The discussion the country. A cashless economy monumental mismanagement Shri Sudip Bandyopadhyay Salim (CPI-M) said Lok Sabha over the wastage of precious parallel economy on Indian real remained inconclusive due was not possible as Indian had been undertaken in the (AITC) wanted the issue to proceedings should not be House time, Speaker Sumitra economy. A new series of bank to the disruptions of the economy was mostly based on process of demonetization. Not be discussed through an controlled by the government Mahajan, in her remarks notes of Rs.500 and Rs.2,000 proceedings. cash transactions and the entire allowing people to withdraw adjournment motion. Shri and the Speaker should allow the on 16 December 2016, inter denominations were introduced Initiating the discussion, country was yet to have internet their money from the bank, he Mulayam Singh Yadav (SP) adjournment motion. Intervening, alia observed: “…In this for circulation from 10 November Shri Anand Sharma (INC) facilities. He also demanded a felt, was enough to condemn said there was wrong in asking the Parliamentary Affairs Minister session, we lost over 91 hours 2016. People were allowed to said withdrawal of legal tender JPC to investigate the matter. what was done in the name of the Prime Minister to inform the said the government was always 59 minutes of time due to deposit old high denomination status of the high denomination Kumari Mayawati (BSP) greater good of the people. It House the circumstances that ready for a discussion. When interruptions followed by forced bank notes into their bank notes with effect from midnight alleged the decision was taken was important to take note of led to such a major decision. the government, the opposition adjournments, which does accounts and/or exchange in on 8 November 2016 created without any proper preparation the grievances of the people Shri P. Karunakaran (CPI- and the entire country were not augur well for all of us and bank branches or issue offices a situation of undeclared and a JPC should investigate who suffered as a result of M) said the Prime Minister against corruption, there was also dents our image before of RBI till the close of business emergency in the country. He the matter. Shri Praful Patel demonetization. The GDP of the should inform Parliament no need to divide the House. the public as well. It is my hours on 30 December 2016. wanted the government to (NCP) said while the intention country could decline by about about his decision, instead Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab (BJD) fond hope that in the coming Individuals were also allowed to explain what led it to think that was good the difficulties being two percentage point as a result of speaking outside. Shri Jay said the opposition was not sessions, there would be no exchange old high denomination most of the 86% money in Indian faced by the public were not of what had been done. Prakash Narayan Yadav demanding a vote on corruption; disruptions and we would all bank notes of certain value in market was counterfeit. People taken care of. There was lack Shri Naresh Agrawal (SP) (RJD) also wanted the issue what they wanted was a work better resulting in fruitful Post Offices. could not withdraw money from of appropriate planning to ease was of the view that no elected to be discussed under an discussion on demonetization to discussions and constructive When Parliament was their own bank accounts because out the resultant hardships. government should be allowed adjournment motion. Shri P. highlight the difficulties faced by deliberations…” convened in its winter session, of ceiling restrictions and the new Welcoming the decision, Shri to take such a decision without Kumar (AIADMK) asked the the people. Showing his anguish over opposition Members wanted a Rs. 2,000 denomination currency Naresh Gujral (SAD) said the the consent of both Houses of government to take all necessary On 1 December 2016, disruption of proceedings, discussion on demonetization note was of no use due to non- money coming back in to the Parliament. He demanded a steps on war footing to improve proceedings in Parliament were Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri to highlight the inconveniences availability of small denomination banking system could be used JPC to inquire into the matter of the situation. Shri Bhartruhari interrupted despite the presence Mohammad Hamid Ansari, in caused to general public. currency notes. to provide funds to the farmers, leakage, if any, with regard to Mahtab (BJD) requested the of the Prime Minister. It had been his valedictory remarks said: Opposition Members in Lok The Minister of State small businessmen, startups, and the decision of demonetization government and the Speaker to the demand of the opposition “…Regular and continuous Sabha pressed for a discussion (Independent Charge), Shri all those in need of bank finance. of currency. Shri Derek O’Brien find a way to break the deadlock. that the Prime Minister should disruptions characterized under the adjournment motion Piyus Goyal (BJP) submitted While not objecting to the step (AITC) said his party was against Shri Anandrao Adsul (Shiv be present during the debate to this Session. The symbolism which provided for a vote. that despite sufferings, a major taken to check terrorism and ‘black money’ and corruption but Sena) said people in rural areas listen to their views. The Rajya of dignified protest so However, the demand for a section of population welcomed black money, Shri Prem Chand was deeply concerned about were facing a lot of hardships. Sabha was disrupted though the essential for orderly conduct discussion under the rule the step. Prof. Ram Gopal Gupta (RJD) said there should the hardships being faced by In his intervention, the Home Prime Minister was present in of parliamentary proceedings that allowed a vote was not Yadav (SP) said the farmers had have been proper planning. Shri common people and small Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh the House. was abandoned. This deprived accepted and the Lok Sabha suffered a lot and an undeclared Pramod Tiwari (INC) considered traders. He argued that anyone asserted that no one doubted On 5 December 2016, Members of the opportunity remained in disagreement emergency prevailed in the demonetization as the biggest who opposed government’s the intention of the government several Members requested to seek accountability of the over the issue. The opposition country. The government should scam and demanded a JPC. The policy was not for ‘black money’ as the decision was taken in the the Speaker to allow discussion Executive through questions Members wanted the Prime have ensured sufficient printing Minister of Urban Development; or was anti-national. Participating interest of the nation. He said the under rule 184 that also provided and discussions on matters of Minister to explain in Parliament and supply of the new currency Housing and Urban Poverty in the discussion on 1 December Speaker of the House enjoyed for a vote. The Home Minister, public interest. The prohibition his decision and its impact on notes to minimize the sufferings Alleviation; and Information and 2016, Shri A.U. Singh Deo (BJD) the power to decide the rule Shri Rajnath Singh urged the in the rules about shouting the poor. A short discussion of common people. Broadcasting, Shri M. Venkaiah said the step had caused some under which the issue could be Speaker to allow discussion slogans, displaying posters and in Lok Sabha was started but Shri A. Navaneethakrishnan Naidu argued that instead of difficulties but people largely discussed and the government under any rule or even without obstructing proceedings by was hardly discussed. A debate (AIADMK) thought having a meaningful debate welcomed it. Because of the was prepared for a discussion rule and the government was leaving their assigned places in Rajya Sabha also remained demonetization created a several parties were opposing interruptions, the debate could under any rule. He assured the prepared to take further steps was consistently ignored by all inconclusive. lot of inconveniences for the the basic principle behind the not be completed. House that the Prime Minister to improve the implementation sections of the House.” The Council of States (Rajya poor as they did not keep their move. The step taken by the On 28 November 2016, would be available during the aspect of demonetization. The The Indian government Sabha), on 16 November 2016, money in bank accounts. Shri government enhanced people’s many opposition MPs made discussion, and if necessary, House, however, was adjourned cancelled the legal tender the first day of the session, Sharad Yadav (JD-U) believed confidence in the political system submissions in Lok Sabha on would make interventions. amidst continuous uproar. character of the high raised a discussion on the the measure could strike a Participating in the resumed demonetization. The Leader of The Speaker, Smt. Sumitra Both the Houses were denomination bank notes of issue. Many MPs had given blow to ‘black money’ within debate on 24 November 2016, the Congress Party in Lok Sabha, Mahajan disallowed the notices adjourned sine die on 16 Rs.500 and Rs.1000 issued by notices for suspension of the the country but would not be Dr. Manmohan Singh (INC), Shri Mallikajun Kharge tried given for the adjournment of the December 2016. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) day’s List of Business to start able to address black money the former Prime Minister, to highlight the difficulties faced House to discuss the issue. with effect from midnight on 8 a discussion. As there was a deposited in foreign countries.

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THIRD READING: INDIA

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2016 • Section 9 stipulates that no child with a disability be separated osteoarthritis, neurological problems, brain tumors, etc; diseases to pay taxes with heavy penalty and allow them to come clean so that not The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights from his or her parents on the ground of disability and only in which are not included in the Bill also need to be addressed. only the Government gets additional revenue for undertaking activities and Full Participation) Act, 1995 was enacted to give effect to the exceptional cases the competent court may place the child in The Minister-in-charge of the Bill while replying to the debate for the welfare of the poor, but also the remaining part of the declared Proclamation on the Full Participation and Equality of the People with shelter homes, in cases where it is genuinely needed. assured Members that concerns expressed and suggestions made by income legitimately comes into the formal economy. Thus, money coming Disabilities in the Asian and Pacific Region. The Act defined Persons Members would be addressed. The Bill was passed by Rajya Sabha on from additional revenue as a result of the decision to ban Rs. 1000 and with Disabilities as those having not less than 40% disability and Other protections contained in the Bill included: 14 December 2016 and by Lok Sabha on 16 December 2016. The Rs. 500 notes could be utilised for welfare schemes for the poor. identified seven categories of disabilities, namely, blindness, low vision, • Protecting the reproductive rights of persons with disabilities. Bill as passed by both Houses of Parliament was assented to by the In this amending legislation, an alternative scheme namely, the hearing impairment, locomotor disability, mental retardation, mental • Ensuring that the Election Commission of India and State Election President of India on 27 December 2016. ‘Taxation and Investment Regime for Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan illness and leprosy-cured. Commissions have been vested with the responsibility to ensure Yojana, 2016’ (PMGKY) had been provided in the Bill. As per this Over a period of time, the conceptual understanding of the rights that persons with disabilities have access to voting. The Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016 scheme, any declarant under this regime shall be required to pay tax at of persons with disabilities had become clearer and there had been • It has also been provided that the appropriate Government has Evasion of taxes deprives the nation of critical resources which could 30% of the undisclosed income and penalty at 10% of the undisclosed worldwide change in approach to handling the issues concerning to ensure that persons with disabilities have access to Courts Of enable the Government to undertake anti-poverty and development income. Further, a surcharge to be called ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan persons with disabilities. The United Nations adopted its Convention Law, Tribunal, Authority, Commission or any other judicial or quasi- programmes. It also puts a disproportionate burden on the honest Cess’ at 33% of tax had also been proposed to be levied. In addition to on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities laying down the principles to judicial body, where the need arises. taxpayers who have to bear the brunt of higher taxes to make up for the tax surcharge and penalty, the declarant would be required to deposit be followed by the States Parties for empowerment of persons with • Provisions have been made requiring the appropriate Government revenue leakage. As a step forward to curb ‘black money’, bank notes of 25% of the undisclosed income in a Deposit Scheme to be notified disabilities. India signed the Convention and subsequently ratified it on to ensure that the persons with disabilities have right, equally with existing series of denomination of the value of five hundred rupees and by the Central Government in consultation with the Reserve Bank of 1 October 2007, coming into effect on 3 May 2008. This gave India others, to own or inherit property, movable or immovable, control one thousand rupees (hereinafter referred to as ‘specified bank notes’) India under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Deposit Scheme, 2016’. an international obligation to comply with the provisions of the said their financial affairs and have access to bank loans, mortgages issued by the Reserve Bank of India had been ceased to be legal This amount has been proposed to be utilised for the programmes of Convention which required an entirely new legislation. and other forms of financial credit. tender with effect from the 9 November 2016. irrigation, housing, toilets, infrastructure, primary education, primary An Expert Committee constituted under the chairmanship of the then • Provision has also been made for grant of limited guardianship and Concerns had been raised that some of the existing provisions of health, livelihood, etc.; so that there is justice and equality. Vice-Chairperson, Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy, Kolkata submitted its plenary guardianship by the District Court for mentally ill persons the Income-Tax Act, 1961 could possibly be used for concealing ‘black The Bill was passed by Lok Sabha on 29 November 2016. This Bill, report in 2011, suggesting a Draft Bill relating to the Rights of Persons with who can take all legal binding decisions on his or her behalf. money’. It was, therefore, felt imperative that the Government amends which was a money Bill, after its passage in Lok Sabha was transmitted Disabilities. The draft Bill was extensively debated upon at various levels • Further it has been required of the appropriate Government to the Act to plug these loopholes as early as possible so as to prevent to Rajya Sabha for its recommendation. The Bill, so transmitted to Rajya involving State Governments and Union territories and various stakeholders. designate authorities to mobilize community support for persons misuse of the provisions. The Government, therefore, proposed to Sabha, was not returned to Lok Sabha within the period of fourteen The new Bill contained extensive definitions of the types of with disabilities. bring forward the Taxation Laws (Second Amendment) Bill, 2016, to days from the date of its receipt in Rajya Sabha Secretariat. The Bill disabilities to be included in the legislation. Chapter Two of the Act lays make some changes in the Act to ensure that defaulting assessees are was accordingly deemed to have been passed by both Houses of down ‘Rights and Entitlements’ which included: Debate subjected to tax at a higher rate and stringent penalty provision. Parliament at the expiration of the said period (14 days) in the form in • Section 3 pertains to equality and discrimination which vests upon During the discussion in both Houses of Parliament the legislation In the wake of declaring specified bank notes as not legal tender, which it was passed by Lok Sabha under clause (5) of article 109 of the appropriate authority to ensure that the persons with disability found phenomenal support. Members from all sections of the House there had been representations and suggestions from experts that the Constitution of India. The Bill received Presidential assent on 15 enjoy the right to equality, life with dignity and respect for his or her viewed this as a landmark legislation in the history of the parliamentary instead of allowing people to find illegal ways of converting their ‘black December 2016. integrity equally with others. It further stipulates that no person with legislative mechanism in India. Members welcomed this as the money’ into black again, the Government should give them an opportunity disability be discriminated on the ground of disability, unless it is most important legislation which needs special consideration and shown that the impugned act or omission is a proportionate means acknowledgement that for the first time a comprehensive legislation of achieving a legitimate aim. Further no person shall be deprived has been brought forward for the aid of those who are disadvantaged – of his or her personal liberty only on the ground of disability. some from birth, some through accidents or diseases acquired later. • Section 4 requires appropriate Government and authorities to take Members appreciated the fact that a wide range of disabilities have measures to ensure that women and children with disabilities enjoy been included in the legislation and duly addressed. Members also their rights equally with others. Further, all children with disabilities felt that the Bill would prove a major milestone in enhancing the self- have a right on an equal basis to freely express their views on all respect of disabled persons in the coming time. matters affecting them and provide them appropriate support Some of the important suggestions made by members were:- keeping in view their age and disability. 1. It has to be ensured in the Bill that the rights of such persons are • Section 5 provides for the appropriate Government to endeavour not violated by any person or any institute; that the persons with disabilities enjoy the right to live in community. 2. The quotas of reservations for disabled be increased to 5%; • Section 6 details measures to protect persons with disabilities from 3. The country has to be made disabled friendly. There is a need for being subjected to torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. the introduction of accessible buses and even in some government • Section 7 provides that the appropriate Government is required to take buildings, as in western countries; measures to protect persons with disabilities from all forms of abuse, 4. It was also felt that the existing rudimentary level as far as violence and exploitation and to prevent this they will take steps for prosthetics has to be upgraded. In the West, they are developing avoiding such incidents and prescribe the procedure for its reporting. limbs which can be connected to the nerves which eventually get • Section 8 contain provisions that the National Disaster Management connected to the brain. The people who should be benefitted by Authority, State Disaster Management Authority and District the Bill shall actually become a part of society and are truly and Management Authority will take appropriate measures for the safety honestly accepted by their peers as normal human beings; and protection of persons with disabilities in situations of risks. 5. Besides, locomotory problems, rheumatoid arthritis and

98 | The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue One The Parliamentarian | 2017: Issue One | 99 The Commonwealth Parliamentary The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Association (CPA)

CPA Patron, Officers, Executive Committee, Regional Representatives, Commonwealth CARIBBEAN, AMERICAS PACIFIC CPA Regional Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Steering Committee and CPA Secretariat AND THE ATLANTIC CANADA Secretaries Mr Blair Armitage Patrons Hon. Laura Tucker- Hon. Niki Rattle Parliament of Canada AFRICA Longsworth, MP Speaker of Parliament, Dr Thomas Kashililah PATRON: VICE-PATRON: Speaker of Parliament, Belize Cook Islands CARIBBEAN, AMERICAS & Parliament of Tanzania Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Vacant Acting Regional Representative (2014-2017) ATLANTIC Head of the Commonwealth (2014-2017) Ms Heather Cooke ASIA Hon. Nafoitoa Talaimanu Parliament of Jamaica Mr Syed Shamoon Hashmi Hon. Anthony Michael Keti, MP Parliament of Pakistan Perkins, MP Deputy Speaker of the INDIA CPA Executive Committee Speaker of the National Assembly, Legislative Assembly, Samoa Shri Anoop Mishra AUSTRALIA Saint Kitts and Nevis (2015-2018) Parliament of India Executive Committee Members’ dates of membership are indictated below each name. Correct at time of printing. Mr Tom Duncan (2015-2018) Australia Capital Territory Hon. Paul Foster-Bell, MP PACIFIC

Portrait of The Queen © John Swannell/Camera Press Legislative Assembly Officers Regional Hon. Leroy C. Rogers, MLA New Zealand Mr Steve Cutting PRESIDENT: (2016-2017): Representatives Speaker of the House of Acting Regional Representative Parliament of New Zealand BRITISH ISLANDS & Hon. Dr Shirin Sharmin Assembly, Anguilla (2016-2019) MEDITERRANEAN Chaudhury, MP AFRICA ASIA BRITISH ISLANDS AND (2016-2019) SOUTH-EAST ASIA Mr Andrew Tuggey Speaker of Parliament, Bangladesh MEDITERRANEAN Mrs Roosme Hamzah Parliament of the United Kingdom INDIA SOUTH-EAST ASIA Parliament of Malaysia VICE-PRESIDENT: Hon. Mutimura Zeno, MP Hon. Mian Tariq Mehmood, MPA Hon. Derek Thomas, MLC Vacant Rwanda Punjab, Pakistan St Helena CPA Secretariat (2014-2017) (2014-2017) (2014-2017) Hon. Dr Sitasharan Sharma, MLA Dr Lim Biow Chuan, MP CHAIRPERSON OF THE Speaker of the Legislative Deputy Speaker, Singapore Mr Akbar Khan EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Rt Hon. Themba Msibi, MP Hon. Imran Ahmad, MP Rt Hon. Sir Alan Haselhurst, MP Assembly, Madhya Pradesh (2014-2017) 7th Secretary-General (2014-2017): Speaker of Parliament, Swaziland Bangladesh United Kingdom (2014-2017) Hon. Dr Shirin Sharmin (2014-2017) (2015-2018) (2015-2018) Hon. Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Commonwealth Parliamentary Tel: +44 (0)20 7799 1460 Chaudhury, MP Shri Feroze Varun Gandhi, MP Kiandee, MP Association, CPA Secretariat, Fax: +44 (0)20 7222 6073 Speaker of Parliament, Bangladesh Hon. Emilia Monjowa Lifaka, MP Hon. Dr Fehmida Mirza, MP Awaiting replacement nomination Lok Sabha, India Deputy Speaker, Malaysia Suite 700, Westminster House, Email: [email protected] Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Pakistan (2016-2019) (2015-2018) Acting Regional Representative 7 Millbank, London SW1P 3JA, www.cpahq.org VICE-CHAIRPERSON Cameroon (2016-2019) (2015-2018) United Kingdom (2016-2017): (2015-2018) Shri Kavinder Gupta, MLA Hon. Emilia Monjowa Lifaka, MP Also Vice-Chairperson of the Speaker of the Legislative Hon. Datuk Wira Haji Othman Deputy Speaker, Cameroon Executive Committee AUSTRALIA CANADA Assembly, Jammu and Kashmir Muhamad, MP A full listing of the CPA Branch Directory can be Also Regional Representative for (2016-2017) (2016-2019) Speaker, Malacca found at: www.cpahq.org Africa Region (2015-2018) Hon. Kezia Purick, MLA Awaiting replcement nomination (2016-2019) Rt Hon. Umar Buba Jibril, MP Speaker of the Legislative (2013-2016) TREASURER (2016-2019): Deputy House Leader, Nigeria Assembly, Northern Territory Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) Steering Committee Hon. Vicki Dunne, MLA (2015-2018) (2014-2017) Deputy Speaker, Australian Hon. Alexandra Mendes, MP PRESIDENT: ASIA CANADA INDIA Capital Territory Hon. Bernard Songa Hon. Russell Paul Wortley, MLC Canada Hon. Sagufta Yasmin MP Hon. Vijayakala Maheswaran MP Hon. Linda Reid, MLA Hon. Meenakashi Lekhi, MP Sibalatani, MP President of the Legislative (2015-2018) Bangladesh Sri Lanka Speaker of the Legislative India (2014-2017) CHAIRPERSON OF THE Namibia Council, South Australia (2016-2017) (2015-2018) Assembly, British Columbia, COMMONWEALTH WOMEN (2016-2019) (2015-2018) Canada PACIFIC PARLIAMENTARIANS (CWP) Hon. Jackson Lafferty, MLA CHAIRPERSON AUSTRALIA (2014-2017) Hon. Munokoa Poto Williams, MP (2016-2019): Hon. Lazarous C. Chungu, MP Hon. Don Harwin, MLC Speaker of Legislative Hon. Dato’ Noraini Ahmad, MP Hon. Michelle O’Byrne, MP New Zealand (2014-2017) Hon. Dato’ Noraini Ahmad, MP Zambia New South Wales Assembly, Northwest Territories Malaysia Tasmania CARIBBEAN, AMERICAS Also Vice-Chairperson of the Malaysia (2016-2019) (2016-2019) (2016-2019) (2016-2019) (2016-2019) AND THE ATLANTIC CWP (2016-2017) Hon. Shirley M. Osborne, MLA CHAIRPERSON OF THE CPA AFRICA BRITISH ISLANDS AND Speaker of the Legislative SOUTH-EAST ASIA SMALL BRANCHES Hon. Angela Thoko Didiza, MP MEDITERRANEAN Assembly, Montserrat Hon. YB Datuk Hajah Norah (2016-2019): South Africa Ms Joyce Watson AM (2015-2018) binti Ahmad, MP Hon. Anġlu Farrugia MP (2016-2019) Wales Sarawak, Malaysia Speaker of the House of (2015-2018) (2016-2019) Representatives, Malta

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