Summary Records of the Proceedings of the 130 IPU Assembly Geneva

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Summary Records of the Proceedings of the 130 IPU Assembly Geneva Summary Records of the Proceedings of the 130th IPU Assembly Geneva 16-20 March 2014 Table of contents Page(s) Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 4 Opening of the 130th Assembly · Speech by Mr. M. Abdelwahad Radi, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union ........... 5 · Speech by Mr. Michael Møller, Acting Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva ..................................................................................................................... 6 · Tribute to Mr. Anders B. Johnsson, outgoing General Secretary of the Inter- Parliamentary Union ……………………………… ............................................................ 7 Organization of the work of the Assembly · Opening of the General Debate .................................................................................... 9 · Consideration of requests for the inclusion of an emergency item in the Assembly agenda ......................................................................................................... 18 · Final agenda ................................................................................................................. 20 General Debate on the overall theme: The IPU at 125: Renewing our commitment to peace and democracy ...................................................................................................... 9 · Speech by Mr. Mustafa Ben Jaafar, Speaker of the National Constituent Assembly of Tunisia .......................................................................................................................... 12 · Resumption of the General Debate ............................................................................... 13 · Interactive discussion with Mr. William Lacy Swing, Director General, International Organization for Migration ............................................................................................. 33 Plenary debate on the emergency item: Helping to restore peace and security and consolidate democracy in the Central African Republic: The contribution of the IPU .............. 43 Towards a nuclear-weapon-free world: The contribution of parliaments (Standing Committee on Peace and International Security) · Adoption of the Agenda ......…………………………………………………………………… 60 · Approval of the summary records of the Committee's session held on the occasion of the 128th IPU Assembly in Quito (March 2013) .......................................................... 60 · Election of the Standing Committee Bureau .................................................................. 60 · Preparation and adoption of a draft resolution ............................................................... 69 · Presentation of the preliminary draft resolution prepared by the co-Rapporteurs, followed by a debate ..................................................................................................... 61 · Appointment of a rapporteur to the 130th Assembly ....................................................... 72 Inter-Parliamentary Union – 130th Assembly Summary Records Page(s) · Preparations for future Assemblies (a) Proposals for a subject item to be considered by the Committee ............................ 72 (b) Proposals for two co-Rapporteurs .......................................................................... 72 (c) Proposals for the future work plan ......................................................................... 72 Towards risk-resilient development: Taking into consideration demographic trends and natural constraints (Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, Finance and Trade) · Adoption of the Agenda ................................................................................................ 74 · Approval of the summary records of the Committee's session held on the occasion of the 128th IPU Assembly in Quito (March 2013) ........................................... 74 · Election of the Standing Committee Bureau .................................................................. 74 · Presentation of the preliminary draft resolution prepared by the co-Rapporteurs, followed by a debate ..................................................................................................... 74 · Preparation and adoption of a draft resolution ............................................................... 82 · Appointment of a rapporteur to the 130th Assembly ....................................................... 82 · Preparations for future Assemblies (a) Proposals for a subject item to be considered by the Committee ............................ 83 (b) Proposals for two co-Rapporteurs .......................................................................... 83 (c) Proposals for the future work plan ......................................................................... 83 The role of parliaments in protecting the rights of children, in particular unaccompanied migrant children, and in preventing their exploitation in situations of war and conflict (Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights) · Adoption of the Agenda ................................................................................................ 84 · Approval of the summary records of the Committee's session held on the occasion of the 128th IPU Assembly in Quito (March 2013) ........................................... 84 · Election of the Standing Committee Bureau .................................................................. 84 · Presentation of the preliminary draft resolution prepared by the co-Rapporteurs, followed by a debate ..................................................................................................... 84 · Preparation and adoption of a draft resolution ............................................................... 92 · Appointment of a rapporteur to the 130th Assembly ....................................................... 92 · Preparations for future Assemblies (a) Proposals for a subject item to be considered by the Committee ........................... 92 (b) Proposals for two co-Rapporteurs .......................................................................... 93 · Any other business ....................................................................................................... 95 Standing Committee on United Nations Affairs · Adoption of the Agenda ................................................................................................ 96 · Approval of the summary records of the Committee's session held on the occasion of the 129th IPU Assembly in Geneva (October 2013) ..................................... 96 · Election of the Standing Committee Bureau .................................................................. 96 · Interaction between the United Nations, national parliaments and the IPU ..................... 96 · Discussion of the parliamentary contribution to the United Nations process of devising the next generation of sustainable development goals (SDGs) ...................................... 102 · Forum of Young Parliamentarians of the IPU ............................................................ 108 · Panel discussion on Promoting the child's best interest: The case of migrant children ... 111 · Panel discussion on Reasons for the high turnover of parliamentarians at elections ...... 117 2 Inter-Parliamentary Union – 130th Assembly Summary Records Page(s) Adoption of resolutions, final documents and reports · General Debate ......................................................................................................... 122 · Emergency item ......................................................................................................... 122 · Standing Committee on Peace and International Security ........................................... 122 · Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, Finance and Trade ....................... 124 · Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights .............................................. 124 · Standing Committee on United Nations Affairs ........................................................... 125 Approval of the subject items to be taken up by the Standing Committees and appointment of the Rapporteurs .................................................................................... 125 Closure of the Assembly ................................................................................................ 126 Annexes I. Chair’s summary of the debate on The IPU at 125: Renewing our commitment to peace and democracy ................................................................................... 128 II. Towards a nuclear-weapon-free world: The contribution of parliaments (item 4) Text of the resolution .............................................................................. 130 III. Towards risk-resilient development: Taking into consideration demographic trends and natural constraints (item 5) Text of the resolution .............................................................................. 133 IV. The role of parliaments in protecting the rights of children, in particular unaccompanied migrant children, and in preventing their exploitation in situations of armed conflict (item 6) Text of the resolution .............................................................................. 137 V. Report of the Standing Committee on United Nations Affairs (item 7) ................ 142 VI-A–VI-C Results of roll-call vote on proposals
Recommended publications
  • Toolkit: Citizen Participation in the Legislative Process
    This publication was made possible with financial support from the Government of Canada. About ParlAmericas ParlAmericas is the institution that promotes PARLIAMENTARY DIPLOMACY in the INTER-AMERICAN system ParlAmericas is composed of the 35 NATIONAL LEGISLATURES from North, Central and South America and the Caribbean ParlAmericas facilitates the exchange of parliamentary BEST PRACTICES and promotes COOPERATIVE POLITICAL DIALOGUE ParlAmericas mainstreams GENDER EQUALITY by advocating for women’s political empowerment and the application of a gender lens in legislative work ParlAmericas fosters OPEN PARLIAMENTS by advancing the principles of transparency, accountability, citizen participation, ethics and probity ParlAmericas promotes policies and legislative measures to mitigate and adapt to the effects ofCLIMATE CHANGE ParlAmericas works towards strengthening democracy and governance by accompanying ELECTORAL PROCESSES ParlAmericas is headquartered in OTTAWA, CANADA Table of Contents Toolkit Co-creation Plan 6 Contributors 8 Introduction 9 Objective 9 Using this Toolkit 9 Defining Citizen Participation 10 Importance of Citizen Participation 10 Participation Ladder 11 Overview of Citizen Participation in the Legislative Process 12 Developing a Citizen Participation Strategy 15 Principles of Citizen Participation 16 Resources to Support Citizen Participation 17 Educating Citizens and Promoting Participation 18 Awareness Raising Programs and Campaigns 18 Citizen Participation Offices and Communications Departments 19 Parliamentary Websites
    [Show full text]
  • United Arab Emirates (Uae)
    Library of Congress – Federal Research Division Country Profile: United Arab Emirates, July 2007 COUNTRY PROFILE: UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE) July 2007 COUNTRY اﻟﻌﺮﺑﻴّﺔ اﻟﻤﺘّﺤﺪة (Formal Name: United Arab Emirates (Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah Dubai , أﺑﻮ ﻇﺒﻲ (The seven emirates, in order of size, are: Abu Dhabi (Abu Zaby .اﻹﻣﺎرات Al ,ﻋﺠﻤﺎن Ajman , أ مّ اﻟﻘﻴﻮﻳﻦ Umm al Qaywayn , اﻟﺸﺎرﻗﺔ (Sharjah (Ash Shariqah ,دﺑﻲّ (Dubayy) .رأس اﻟﺨﻴﻤﺔ and Ras al Khaymah ,اﻟﻔﺠﻴﺮة Fajayrah Short Form: UAE. اﻣﺮاﺗﻰ .(Term for Citizen(s): Emirati(s أﺑﻮ ﻇﺒﻲ .Capital: Abu Dhabi City Major Cities: Al Ayn, capital of the Eastern Region, and Madinat Zayid, capital of the Western Region, are located in Abu Dhabi Emirate, the largest and most populous emirate. Dubai City is located in Dubai Emirate, the second largest emirate. Sharjah City and Khawr Fakkan are the major cities of the third largest emirate—Sharjah. Independence: The United Kingdom announced in 1968 and reaffirmed in 1971 that it would end its treaty relationships with the seven Trucial Coast states, which had been under British protection since 1892. Following the termination of all existing treaties with Britain, on December 2, 1971, six of the seven sheikhdoms formed the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The seventh sheikhdom, Ras al Khaymah, joined the UAE in 1972. Public holidays: Public holidays other than New Year’s Day and UAE National Day are dependent on the Islamic calendar and vary from year to year. For 2007, the holidays are: New Year’s Day (January 1); Muharram, Islamic New Year (January 20); Mouloud, Birth of Muhammad (March 31); Accession of the Ruler of Abu Dhabi—observed only in Abu Dhabi (August 6); Leilat al Meiraj, Ascension of Muhammad (August 10); first day of Ramadan (September 13); Eid al Fitr, end of Ramadan (October 13); UAE National Day (December 2); Eid al Adha, Feast of the Sacrifice (December 20); and Christmas Day (December 25).
    [Show full text]
  • Monitoring the Sdgs Through the National Budget from the Senate of Paraguay
    Monitoring the SDGs through the National Budget from the Senate of Paraguay Accelerating Progress on Agenda 2030: Good Practices for Parliamentary Action parlamericas #ParlAmericasSDG congreso #ParlAmericas2019 #ParlAmericasSDG #ParlAmericas2019 #ParlAmericasSDG #ParlAmericas2019 NATIONAL CONGRESS BICAMERAL COMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET LINK BETWEEN THE NATIONAL BUDGET AND THE SDGs DESCRIPTION AMOUNT IN GS AMOUNT IN USD Total Objetivo 1 - FIN DE LA POBREZA 7.642.806.527.928 1.329.414.947 Total Objetivo 2 - HAMBRE CERO 1.842.323.207.059 320.459.768 Total Objetivo 3 - SALUD Y BIENESTAR 12.377.107.540.024 2.152.914.862 Total Objetivo 4 – EDUCACIÓN DE CALIDAD 7.706.772.614.812 1.340.541.418 Total Objetivo 5 - IGUALDAD DE GÉNERO 2.236.423.607.462 389.010.890 Total Objetivo 6 - AGUA LIMPIA Y SANEAMIENTO 377.535.694.744 65.669.803 Total Objetivo 7 - ENERGÍA ASEGURABLE Y NO CONTAMINANTE 6.582.876.577.142 1.145.047.239 Total Objetivo 8 - TRABAJO DECENTE Y CRECIMIENTO ECONÓMICO 8.639.647.627.108 1.502.808.771 Total Objetivo 9 – INDUSTRIA, INNOVACIÓN E INFRAESTRUCTURA 5.456.099.835.858 949.051.980 Total Objetivo 10 - REDUCCIÓN DE LAS DESIGUALDADES 5.407.727.527.792 940.637.942 Total Objetivo 11 – CIUDADES Y COMUNIDADES SOSTENIBLES 814.883.010.653 141.743.435 Total Objetivo 12 - PRODUCCIÓN Y CONSUMO RESPONSABLES 5.159.705.218.273 897.496.124 Total Objetivo 13 - ACCIÓN POR EL CLIMA 111.608.919.189 19.413.623 Total Objetivo 14 - VIDA SUBMARINA (NO APLICA) 0 0 Total Objetivo 15 - VIDA DE ECOSISTEMAS TERRESTRES 55.160.460.359 9.594.792 Total Objetivo 16 - PAZ, JUSTICIA E INSTITUCIONES SÓLIDAS 11.404.158.096.385 1.983.676.830 Total Objetivo 17 - ALIANZAS PARA LOGRAR LOS OBJETIVOS 4.257.012.497.572 740.478.778 TOTAL 80.071.848.962.361 13.927.961.204 As of 2018 the General Directorate of Oversight of Public Management 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Representing Different Constituencies: Electoral Rules in Bicameral Systems in Latin America and Their Impact on Political Representation
    A Service of Leibniz-Informationszentrum econstor Wirtschaft Leibniz Information Centre Make Your Publications Visible. zbw for Economics Nolte, Detlef; Sánchez, Francisco Working Paper Representing Different Constituencies: Electoral Rules in Bicameral Systems in Latin America and Their Impact on Political Representation GIGA Working Papers, No. 11 Provided in Cooperation with: GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies Suggested Citation: Nolte, Detlef; Sánchez, Francisco (2005) : Representing Different Constituencies: Electoral Rules in Bicameral Systems in Latin America and Their Impact on Political Representation, GIGA Working Papers, No. 11, German Institute of Global and Area Studies (GIGA), Hamburg This Version is available at: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/182554 Standard-Nutzungsbedingungen: Terms of use: Die Dokumente auf EconStor dürfen zu eigenen wissenschaftlichen Documents in EconStor may be saved and copied for your Zwecken und zum Privatgebrauch gespeichert und kopiert werden. personal and scholarly purposes. Sie dürfen die Dokumente nicht für öffentliche oder kommerzielle You are not to copy documents for public or commercial Zwecke vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, öffentlich zugänglich purposes, to exhibit the documents publicly, to make them machen, vertreiben oder anderweitig nutzen. publicly available on the internet, or to distribute or otherwise use the documents in public. Sofern die Verfasser die Dokumente unter Open-Content-Lizenzen (insbesondere CC-Lizenzen) zur Verfügung gestellt haben sollten,
    [Show full text]
  • The Strange Revival of Bicameralism
    The Strange Revival of Bicameralism Coakley, J. (2014). The Strange Revival of Bicameralism. Journal of Legislative Studies, 20(4), 542-572. https://doi.org/10.1080/13572334.2014.926168 Published in: Journal of Legislative Studies Queen's University Belfast - Research Portal: Link to publication record in Queen's University Belfast Research Portal Publisher rights © 2014 Taylor & Francis. This work is made available online in accordance with the publisher’s policies. Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher General rights Copyright for the publications made accessible via the Queen's University Belfast Research Portal is retained by the author(s) and / or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing these publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. Take down policy The Research Portal is Queen's institutional repository that provides access to Queen's research output. Every effort has been made to ensure that content in the Research Portal does not infringe any person's rights, or applicable UK laws. If you discover content in the Research Portal that you believe breaches copyright or violates any law, please contact [email protected]. Download date:01. Oct. 2021 Published in Journal of Legislative Studies , 20 (4) 2014, pp. 542-572; doi: 10.1080/13572334.2014.926168 THE STRANGE REVIVAL OF BICAMERALISM John Coakley School of Politics and International Relations University College Dublin School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy Queen’s University Belfast [email protected] [email protected] ABSTRACT The turn of the twenty-first century witnessed a surprising reversal of the long-observed trend towards the disappearance of second chambers in unitary states, with 25 countries— all but one of them unitary—adopting the bicameral system.
    [Show full text]
  • Doc.18/15 OCTOBER 1-2, 2015 30 September 2015 LIMA, PERU Original: Español
    INTER-AMERICAN DRUG ABUSE CONTROL COMMISSION C I C A D Secretariat for Multidimensional Security XLI MEETING OF THE GROUP OF THE GROUP OF EXPERTS FOR THE CONTROL OF MONEY OEA/Ser.L/XIV.4.41 LAUNDERING CICAD/LAVEX/doc.18/15 OCTOBER 1-2, 2015 30 September 2015 LIMA, PERU Original: Español ACTIVITIES REPORT FROM THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT (ES/CICAD) ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING 2015-2016 ACTIVITIES REPORT FROM THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT (ES/CICAD) ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING The Executive Secretariat (ES) reports that the activities of the Anti-Money Laundering Section of CICAD/OAS, during the period 2014-2015, were determined by the GELAVEX at the XXXIX Meeting of the Group of Experts for Money Laundering Control held in Montevideo, Uruguay, in September 2014; as well as by the mandates of the Commission at its fifty-sixth regular session, held in November of the same year. Thus, the Executive Secretariat of CICAD has carried out numerous technical assistance and training activities during the reporting period, such as: Under the Seized and Forfeited Asset Management Project in Latin America (BIDAL) the following activities were accomplished: a) In the last quarter of 2014, after the presentation of the project to the authorities of Brazil, in August, we proceeded with the development and updating of the situational assessment document, which is intended to serve as a guide to know precisely and in detail the system of seizure, seized asset management, and final destination of forfeited assets and money. Through situational analysis, aspects of the regulatory
    [Show full text]
  • CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE 299 the President in Control of Same; to the Committee on Ways the JOURNAL and Means
    1936 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE 299 the President in control of same; to the Committee on Ways THE JOURNAL and Means. The Chief Clerk proceeded to read the Journal of the pro­ 9451. By Mr. BACON: Petition of John H. Hazelton, Esq., ceedings of Thursday, January 9, 1936, when, on request of of New York with reference to the proposed so-called child­ Mr. RoBINSON, and by unanimous consent, the further read­ labor amenchnent to the Constitution; to the Committee on ing was dispensed with, and the Journal was approved. the Judiciary. WORLD WAR ADJUSTED-SERVICE CERTIFICATES 9452. By Mr. CULKIN: Petition of 41 residents of Copen­ hagen, Lewis County, N. Y., favoring House bill 8739, a bill The VICE PRESIDENT laid before the Senate a letter from restoring to the District of Colmnbia its prohibition law; to the Secretary of the Senate, which was read and ordered to the Committee on the District of Columbia. lie on the table, as follows: 9453. By Mr. DRISCOLL: Petition of employees of the UNITED STATES SENATE, Washington, JantUJ,ry 13, 1936. Owens-lllinois Glass Co., of Clarion, Pa., urging adequate To the PRESIDENT oF THE SENATE: tarilf protection of the glass industry from Japanese com­ I beg to repo.rt that, under authority of the order of the Senate petition; to the Committee on Ways and Means. of the 9th instant, the bill (H. R. 9870) to provide for the imme­ 9454. By Mr. GOODWIN: Petition of Italian Dress and diate payment of World War adjusted-service certificates, for the cancelation of unpaid interest accrued on loans secured by such Waist Makers Union, Local 89, I.
    [Show full text]
  • FREEDOM in the WORLD 2020 United Arab Emirates 17 NOT FREE /100
    4/28/2020 United Arab Emirates | Freedom House FREEDOM IN THE WORLD 2020 United Arab Emirates 17 NOT FREE /100 Political Rights 5 /40 Civil Liberties 12 /60 LAST YEAR'S SCORE & STATUS 17 /100 Not Free Global freedom statuses are calculated on a weighted scale. See the methodology. TOP https://freedomhouse.org/country/united-arab-emirates/freedom-world/2020 1/15 4/28/2020 United Arab Emirates | Freedom House Overview The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven emirates led in practice by Abu Dhabi, the largest by area and richest in natural resources. Limited elections are held for a federal advisory body, but political parties are banned, and all executive, legislative, and judicial authority ultimately rests with the seven hereditary rulers. The civil liberties of both citizens and noncitizens, who make up an overwhelming majority of the population, are subject to significant restrictions. Key Developments in 2019 Pope Francis undertook the first papal visit to the UAE and the Arabian Peninsula in February, as Emirati officials sought to burnish the country’s reputation for religious tolerance. In May, Emirati media circulated video images of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al- Nahyan, ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the UAE, meeting well-wishers during Ramadan. Sheikh Khalifa had rarely appeared in public since suffering a stroke in 2014; his half-brother and designated heir, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, remained the country’s de facto ruler. Nonpartisan elections for half of the seats on the UAE’s advisory council were held in October, featuring a somewhat expanded pool of eligible voters and greater participation by women candidates, though turnout remained low.
    [Show full text]
  • List of Participants Liste Des Participants
    LIST OF PARTICIPANTS LISTE DES PARTICIPANTS 142nd IPU Assembly and Related Meetings (virtual) 24 to 27 May 2021 - 2 - Mr./M. Duarte Pacheco President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Président de l'Union interparlementaire Mr./M. Martin Chungong Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Secrétaire général de l'Union interparlementaire - 3 - I. MEMBERS - MEMBRES AFGHANISTAN RAHMANI, Mir Rahman (Mr.) Speaker of the House of the People Leader of the delegation EZEDYAR, Mohammad Alam (Mr.) Deputy Speaker of the House of Elders KAROKHAIL, Shinkai (Ms.) Member of the House of the People ATTIQ, Ramin (Mr.) Member of the House of the People REZAIE, Shahgul (Ms.) Member of the House of the People ISHCHY, Baktash (Mr.) Member of the House of the People BALOOCH, Mohammad Nadir (Mr.) Member of the House of Elders HASHIMI, S. Safiullah (Mr.) Member of the House of Elders ARYUBI, Abdul Qader (Mr.) Secretary General, House of the People Member of the ASGP NASARY, Abdul Muqtader (Mr.) Secretary General, House of Elders Member of the ASGP HASSAS, Pamir (Mr.) Acting Director of Relations to IPU Secretary to the delegation ALGERIA - ALGERIE GOUDJIL, Salah (M.) Président du Conseil de la Nation Président du Groupe, Chef de la délégation BOUZEKRI, Hamid (M.) Vice-Président du Conseil de la Nation (RND) BENBADIS, Fawzia (Mme) Membre du Conseil de la Nation Comité sur les questions relatives au Moyen-Orient KHARCHI, Ahmed (M.) Membre du Conseil de la Nation (FLN) DADA, Mohamed Drissi (M.) Secrétaire Général, Conseil de la Nation Secrétaire général
    [Show full text]
  • Comparative European Party Systems
    COMPARATIVE EUROPEAN PARTY SYSTEMS Comparative European Party Systems, Second Edition, provides a comprehensive analysis across 48 party systems of party competition, electoral systems and their effects, and the classification of party systems and governments from 1945 through late-2018. The book consists of three parts. Part I provides a comparative and quantitative overview of party systems according to party families, patterns of party competition, electoral systems and their effects, and classification of party systems and governments. Part II consists of 38 detailed country profiles of longstanding democracies and of the European Union (plus nine profiles on regions such as in Spain and the UK), providing essential detail on the electoral systems, parties, party patterns and systems, dimensions of political competition, and governments. Part III provides an analysis of 10 additional country profiles of oscillating regimes such as Russia, Ukraine, and Balkan and Transcaucasus states. Comparative European Party Systems provides an excellent overview of topical issues in comparative election and party system research and presents a wealth of information and quantitative data. It is a crucial reference for scholars and students of European and comparative politics, elections, electoral systems, and parties and party systems. Alan Siaroff is Professor of Political Science at the University of Lethbridge, Canada. COMPARATIVE EUROPEAN PARTY SYSTEMS An Analysis of Parliamentary Elections Since 1945 Second Edition Alan Siaroff Second edition published 2019 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN and by Routledge 52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business © 2019 Alan Siaroff The right of Alan Siaroff to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
    [Show full text]
  • Democracy in the Age of Pandemic – Fair Vote UK Report June 2020
    Democracy in the Age of Pandemic How to Safeguard Elections & Ensure Government Continuity APPENDICES fairvote.uk Published June 2020 Appendix 1 - 86 1 Written Evidence, Responses to Online Questionnaire During the preparation of this report, Fair Vote UK conducted a call for written evidence through an online questionnaire. The questionnaire was open to all members of the public. This document contains the unedited responses from that survey. The names and organisations for each entry have been included in the interest of transparency. The text of the questionnaire is found below. It indicates which question each response corresponds to. Name Organisation (if applicable) Question 1: What weaknesses in democratic processes has Covid-19 highlighted? Question 2: Are you aware of any good articles/publications/studies on this subject? Or of any countries/regions that have put in place mediating practices that insulate it from the social distancing effects of Covid-19? Question 3: Do you have any ideas on how to address democratic shortcomings exposed by the impact of Covid-19? Appendix 1 - 86 2 Appendix 1 Name S. Holledge Organisation Question 1 Techno-phobia? Question 2 Estonia's e-society Question 3 Use technology and don't be frightened by it 2 Appendix 1 - 86 3 Appendix 2 Name S. Page Organisation Yes for EU (Scotland) Question 1 The Westminster Parliament is not fit for purpose Question 2 Scottish Parliament Question 3 Use the internet and electronic voting 3 Appendix 1 - 86 4 Appendix 3 Name J. Sanders Organisation emergency legislation without scrutiny removing civil liberties railroading powers through for example changes to mental health act that impact on individual rights (A) Question 1 I live in Wales, and commend Mark Drakeford for his quick response to the crisis by enabling the Assembly to continue to meet and debate online Question 2 no, not until you asked.
    [Show full text]
  • United Arab Emirates 2020 Human Rights Report
    UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 2020 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven semiautonomous emirates with a resident population of approximately 9.7 million, of whom an estimated 11 percent are citizens. The rulers of the seven emirates constitute the Federal Supreme Council, the country’s highest legislative and executive body. The council selects a president and a vice president from its membership, and the president appoints the prime minister and cabinet. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ruler of Abu Dhabi emirate, is president, although Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi exercises most executive authority. The emirates are under patriarchal rule with political allegiance defined by loyalty to tribal leaders, leaders of the individual emirates, and leaders of the federation. A limited, appointed electorate participates in periodic elections for the partially elected Federal National Council, a consultative body that examines, reviews, and recommends changes to legislation and may discuss topics for legislation. The last election was in October 2019, when appointed voters elected 20 Federal National Council members. Citizens may express their concerns directly to their leaders through traditional consultative mechanisms such as the open majlis (forum). Each emirate maintained a local police force called a general directorate, which was officially a branch of the federal Ministry of Interior. All emirate-level general directorates of police enforced their respective emirate’s laws autonomously. They also enforced federal laws within their emirate in coordination with each other under the federal ministry. The federal government maintained federal armed forces under the Ministry of Defense for external security.
    [Show full text]