Meeting of the Executive Committee of COPA Brasilia, Brazil March 22-26, 2004
Report of Proceedings
Agenda
Program
2004-2005 Strategic Plan
Resolution on Haiti
Resolution respecting Electoral Observation Missions
Photo of the event
PARLIAMENTARY CONFEDERATION OF THE AMERICAS (COPA)
XI MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES BRASÍLIA, BRAZIL MARCH 23, 2004
REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS
On March 23, 2004, the eleventh meeting of the Executive Committee of the Parliamentary Confederation of the Americas (COPA) took place, the morning session being held in the Hall of the Constitution, Justice and Drafting Committee, and the afternoon session in the Nereu Ramos Auditorium, at the Chamber of Deputies, in Brasília, in the Federative Republic of Brazil. This meeting was attended by representatives from the congresses and parliamentary assemblies of the following countries: Argentina, Brazil, Canada (Québec), Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Netherlands Antilles, United States of America and Venezuela, as well as delegates from regional parliaments and interparliamentary organizations. The regional parliaments represented included the Andean Parliament, the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN), the Indigenous Parliament and the Latin-American Parliament (PARLATINO). The interparliamentary organizations included the National Union of State Legislatures (UNALE) of Brazil, and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) of the United States. The meeting was also attended by the coordinators of the technical secretariats of Québec, Mexico and Brazil. The participants discussed the agenda presented below, which was unanimously approved by those present, following the presentation of amendments, discussions and deliberations.
1) Official opening; 2) Follow-up on items pending from the V General Assembly of COPA, held in Caracas in November 2003; 3) COPA strategic planning; 4) COPA Magazine; 5) Setting the date for the next General Assembly; 6) Other matters.
1) Official opening – Deliberations began in the Hall of the Constitution, Justice and Drafting Committee at the Chamber of Deputies, in the presence of the following persons: Federal Representative João Paulo Cunha, President of the Chamber of Deputies, Federal Representative Ney Lopes, President of PARLATINO, Senator Carlos Mateos, President of the Congress of Paraguay, Senator Seris Shessarenko, representing the President of the National Congress of Brazil, Representative Guillermo Landázuri, President of the Congress of Ecuador, and Federal Representative Maria José Maninha, President of COPA. The above mentioned parliamentarians each took the floor, mentioning that Brazil was pleased to host this meeting among parliamentarians of the Americas. They underlined the importance of such a meeting, in view of the similar situations faced by legislative assemblies, particularly as regards the plan for a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). At the conclusion of this first part of the meeting, in the presence of the members of the Executive Committee, the national parliamentarians and the dignitaries specially invited to the opening of the session, Representative Maninha, who chaired the deliberations, welcomed the participants and reiterated the political commitments made in Puebla, Mexico, when she began her term of office. She delivered a lengthy speech on current political events worldwide, emphasizing terrorism and the recent event that occurred in Spain. She pointed out that COPA plays a very important role and that it should take up challenges, particularly in the context of the discussions about the creation of the Free Trade Area of the Americas, since the legislators of the Americas will have greater involvement in political decision-making in their capacity as free parliamentarians, in order that they may fulfill their constitutional mission. Next, the floor was given to Ambassador José Carlos Macedo Soares, of the Department of External Relations of Brazil. He spoke of the current state of negotiations of the plan for a Free Trade Area of the Americas. Mr. Soares informed participants, providing details on the progress of negotiations conducted recently in the city of Puebla, Mexico, mentioning that certain problems remain regarding various items on the FTAA agenda. Following this, there was a lively discussion among the participants and the speaker about the environment and the problems experienced by certain countries in the current round of negotiations, more particularly in the sectors of agriculture and government procurement.
Following the main conference, the session was adjourned for the mid-day meal. In the afternoon, the session resumed, this time in the Nereu Ramos Auditorium, according to the approved agenda, with a discussion of the first item. Representative Ileana Rogel of El Salvador, President of the Network of Women Parliamentarians, asked to speak in order to inform the participants of a meeting to be held by the Network on a separate schedule so that the two meetings would not overlap. On account of the delay, President Maninha proposed to discuss immediately the follow-up on pending items. She arranged the panel for the deliberations by inviting the members of the executive secretariats of Brazil, Mexico and Québec, respectively, to participate. They began the discussion of the agenda items listed above, giving the floor to the speakers registered, allowing them to benefit from their right to speak. A moment was set aside during the meeting for a presentation by Rede Brasil, a non-governmental organization, which requested that an item be added to the COPA program, namely reforming the International Monetary Fund (IMF), access to information within that organization, and national and interparliamentary regulations on credit operations of the World Bank and the Interamerican Development Bank (IDB). The next item on the agenda was COPA’s strategic plan. President Maninha raised this topic by presenting to the participants copies of a document on this topic, which was read, giving rise to a lively discussion, and which was then approved. During the discussion, it was mentioned that the organizational phase of COPA’s major event had already begun, namely the next General Assembly, to be held in Foz do Iguaçu, in the State of Parana, and that steps had already been taken with the State government to obtain full support concerning the holding of the event, as well as support from sponsors. During the discussion, the new date of the General Assembly was approved. It will take place in May 2005, in view of the difficulty of holding a conference in November 2004, because of general elections
2 being held in several countries, and because of the parliamentary break beginning in December of the same year. Representative Ileana Rogel of El Salvador then spoke on the topics to be covered at the next General Assembly, namely assessing the impact of the FTAA on our countries and of the need for dialogue with other organizations to ensure a broader discussion of this topic. Representative Jimenez of Mexico spoke of the current situation and the increased role that parliamentarians may play in their respective regions, as key stakeholders on central issues currently being discussed, primarily wherever FTAA events are being held, so as to increase our scope of action. He then spoke of the need for the taking of office for the position of COPA president to occur automatically. Senator Aracely Escalante, of Mexico, then presented a document on her activities. Next, Representative Leticia Gutiérrez, of Mexico, in her capacity as treasurer, presented the draft budget of COPA for discussion and approval by the participants. She passed the document around the table, with the purpose of providing it afterwards to all members of the Executive Committee. The Mexican parliamentarian stated that it was necessary to explain COPA’s forms of financing, not only for the General Assembly, but also for its operations, and that it was necessary to establish a mandatory system of membership dues. Representative Joseph Miro, of the United States, pointed out that it would be quite difficult to speak about COPA’s strategic plan and financing, in view of the organizational and budgetary problems, and that it was impossible to discuss a financial support plan in the United States, on account of the problem of representation of parliamentarians. Being unable to represent their parliaments or their country, many of them attend only on an individual basis, and this was the case of Mr. Miro. As a representative of an American state, he pointed out that many issues handled by COPA were considered as under the jurisdiction of the federal government, and of the federal legislators. Representative Maninha again took the floor and explained the political function of COPA representatives and the organization’s budget, since this was the best opportunity to participate and discuss membership of national and state- level organizations, and to develop a permanent financial solution for the organization. MNA Christos Sirros of Québec stated that the point was to present a draft budget and explain it to all parliamentarians of the Americas, but that COPA should make an effort to collect dues, by sending letters to the member parliaments. Senator Efrain Gonzales, of the United States, spoke about the participation of the NCSL in COPA; at this point in the agenda, the following participants took the floor: Representative Pierre Moreau, of Québec, Ivan Vasques, of Ecuador, and Ricardo Ulcuango, of Ecuador. Next, the reports of the thematic committees were presented. Representative Cabello Gil, of Mexico, of the Committee on Democracy and Peace, spoke about the electoral observation seminar that did not take place, and about the problems that he had experienced concerning travel for the representatives of the Arias Foundation, because of the lack of a budget to cover airline tickets and per diems. He proposed signing an agreement with the Arias Foundation, at a date to be determined, and spoke about upcoming missions to be conducted by the Committee, in connection with the elections in Panama, the Dominican Republic and the United States. Next, a resolution was approved regarding a regulation on electoral observation missions. The following persons took the floor: MNA Jacques Côté, of Québec, Representative Maninha, Representative Tubal Paez, of Cuba, Representative Jhannett Madriz, of the Andean Parliament and ex-president of COPA, Representative Joseph Miro, of the United States, and Representative Carlos Jiménez Macías, of Mexico. Finally, Representative Cabello Gil, President of the Committee on Democracy and Peace, stated that it was necessary to set criteria to be observed to participate in an electoral observation
3 mission, and he added that it was important to conduct a seminar in order to provide more training for legislators who will be called on to participate in this process.
Another item on the agenda was the discussion of the COPA Magazine. Representative Maninha spoke about its content, and asked all parliamentarians to distribute this magazine to their fellow parliamentarians, in an effort to broaden its circulation. The meeting of the Executive Committee continued, this time in the Interlegis chambers, on March 24, 2004. Representative Manhina read out a document sent in by a Haitian senator, concerning the situation being experienced by that country and the current serious institutional crisis. Following this, a resolution on the situation in Haiti was adopted. It was agreed that the document should be sent to the main international organizations and to the countries of the Americas. The motion was read by MNA Christos Sirros of Québec. He was interrupted by Representative Tubal Paez, who spoke about his position in relation with Haiti, and requested that in the document, UN intervention in the conflict should be invoked, since there is an interest on the part of Cuba, and as many professionals from that country possess relevant expertise. He proposed an addition to the motion, which was presented to the table. Finally, President Maninha suggested that the next Executive Committee meeting should be held in Panama, in June 2004, in conjunction with the FTAA negotiations meeting, according to the approved schedule of meetings. As a last item on the agenda, namely other matters, Representative Ricardo Ulcuango of the Indigenous Parliament took the floor to put forward an invitation to an event at that Parliament which will take place in June 2004, in Quito, Ecuador, and transmitted the invitation to President Maninha. As this completed all items on the agenda, the President closed the meeting, with the proviso that this report of proceedings be drafted and then duly signed.
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AGENDA
COPA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING (TENTATIVE PROGRAM)
9:00 a.m.– Official opening by the President, Federal Representative Maria José Maninha, with a brief report on the ceremony that took place in Puebla, Mexico
09:15 –10:00 a.m.– Speech by Brazilian Ambassador Adhemar Bahadian, co-chairman of the FTAA Committee, on the current state of FTAA negotiations.
10:30 a.m.––Meeting of the Executive Committee, which will address the following subjects:
1) Assessment of the V General Assembly of COPA, held in Caracas, Venezuela, in November 2003; 2) COPA strategic planning 3) COPA Magazine 4) Setting the date for the next General Assembly 5) Other matters
1:30 p.m. - Lunch
2:30 p.m. –Meeting of the Executive Committee (continued)
8:00 p.m. –Dinner MEETING OF THE PARLIAMENTARY CONFEDERATION OF THE AMERICAS (COPA) And the Ibero-American - Community of Portuguese Language Countries Parliamentary Conference on the International Criminal Court
Brasilia, Brazil March 22 to 26, 2004
MONDAY, MARCH 22, 2004
ALL DAY Participants arrive
7:00 p.m. Welcome Cocktail
TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2004
9:00 a.m. –1:00 p.m. - Meeting of Executive Committee Place: Assembly Hall of the Chamber of Deputies’ Committee on External Relations
1:30–2:30 p.m. –Lunch
3:00 p.m. - Meeting of Executive Committee (continued) Place: Assembly Hall of the Chamber of Deputies’ Committee on External Relations
8:00 p.m. - Dinner
WEDNESDAY - MARCH 24, 2004
9:00 a.m.–Meeting of the Network of Women Parliamentarians of the Americas Place: Interlegis
10:00 a.m.–Seminar on the theme “Electoral Observation” under the COPA Committee on Democracy and Peace and the Árias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress Place: Interlegis
12:00 noon –Signing of Agreement between COPA and the Árias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress.
1:30 p.m. - Lunch
2:30 p.m. –Meeting of the Network of Women Parliamentarians of the Americas (continued) Place: Interlegis 3:00 p.m. –Seminar on “Electoral Observation”–(continued) Place: Interlegis
8:00 p.m. - Dinner
THURSDAY - MARCH 25, 2004
09:00 a.m.–– Ibero-American - Community of Portuguese Language Countries Parliamentary Conference on the International Criminal Court
9:00-9:45 a.m.– Opening session
9:45-11:15 a.m.– 1st Panel–Chair/coordinator: Rep. Maninha Parliamentarians' role in the process of ratifying the Statute of Rome in Ibero-American and Portuguese-language countries
12:00-2:00 p.m. - Lunch
2:00-3:30 p.m. –2nd Panel–Chair/ coordinator: Rep. Antonio Carlos Pannunzio Parliamentarians' role in the process of implementing the Statute of Rome and cooperation with the ICC - Reform of national justice systems and the complementary jurisdiction of the ICC - Internal implementation of legal, administrative and budget measures - The incorporation into national law of crimes under international common law and treaty law - Impact on civil society - Creation of national trust funds for victims of international crimes - The ratification of the agreement on the ICC’s privileges and immunities Speakers: Senate Consultant Tarciso Dal Maso, Prof. Hugo Relva* (Amnesty International), Min. Hamilton Carvalhido (CEUB and IESB professor, STJ member).
FRIDAY–MARCH 26, 2004
9:45-11:15 a.m.––3rd Panel–Chair/ coordinator: Rep. Orlando Fantazzini Parliamentarians' role in defending the ICC’s integrity, effectiveness and impartiality: - Judges, procurators and secretarial staff - The organization of the legal profession and legal assistance with respect to the ICC - Advice and assistance for witnesses and victims - Bilateral agreements on non-delivery and their consequences - UN Security Council Resolution No. 1487, which excludes from the ICC’s jurisdiction the members of peace bodies in Bosnia who are nationals of countries that have not ratified the Statute of Rome - The 2002 American Service Members Protection Act (ASPA) and the importance of dialog with the United States of America on the value of the ICC - Parliamentary initiatives to protect the ICC’s territorial jurisdiction
12:00-1:00 p.m. Closing session: Discussion and Approval of the Final Document of the Ibero- American - Community of Portuguese Language Countries Parliamentary Conference on the International Criminal Court Presentation of Reports
Conclusions and closing session
Return of participants to their places of origin
Strategic Plan
Parliamentary Confederation of the Americas (COPA)
2004-2005
INTRODUCTION
Given the importance of the VI General Assembly of COPA to be held in Brazil in November 2004, we must consider the series of factors discussed below.
We must work together to make this COPA project possible. The main challenges are 1) ill- defined COPA programming, which means we must first draw up a list of legal and administrative requirements, and 2) the need for a critical overview of the political issues.
Other challenges include COPA’s current disorganization, the lack of accurate information on political contacts in each country, and parliamentarian and parliament membership levels.
Field work will be necessary to strengthen COPA. Specifically, each secretariat must draw up a list of contacts and assess the participation level within each country.
Now more than ever, COPA must be a political and parliamentary forum for discussion of the major issues that will influence the future of the Americas, including active participation in Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) negotiations and the formation of interest groups on parliamentary topics.
We must work to remedy the situation, particularly by forging ties with organizations similar to our own, including FIPA1 and PARLATINO2, in order to create partnerships and spur discussions focused on the same political objectives.
Parliamentarians must participate in interim events and the General Assembly in order to better understand the organization as well as share information with various segments of society on issues involving foreign policy and the creation of FTAA.
To this end, COPA must become more open and form study groups in cooperation with universities and international organizations that focus on parliamentary issues, thereby expanding its field of action to new avenues, particularly in the sociocultural arena.
By fostering discussion and policy-making on issues such as the FTAA negotiation process, the Mercosur Parliament, and the Parliament of the Americas, we will make room for innovative proposals to advance COPA.
Another key challenge for COPA is funding, an area that has always been overlooked and now requires active attention.
We must establish a rate structure, in accordance with the document already in force, for the dues required of parliamentary organizations, houses of representatives, and assemblies of national and federated states and provinces, as well as associated interparliamentary organizations.
We must implement a fairly objective funding policy to ensure the organization is both strong and respected in the future. Parliamentarians must take an active role in this initiative.
Another COPA aim is to integrate parliamentarians from associated countries, starting with electoral observation in countries within the hemisphere.
1Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas 2Latin American Parliament
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We are still at the initial stages and must draw up guidelines and a travel schedule for COPA members. Electoral observation is an important service we offer to democracies of the Americas.
TRAVEL SCHEDULE
We must be very careful in developing our schedule of missions, since missions tie in with activities of some to concern all parliamentarians of the Americas, such as Mercosur and FTAA.
Below is a list of events for an international schedule aimed at actively involving and integrating COPA in these key forums.
APRIL - Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas meeting, Santiago de Chile, Chile
APRIL - Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting, Mexico City, Mexico
MAY - Network of Women Parliamentarians of the Americas - COPA meeting, Puerto Rico
JUNE - FTAA Negotiating Committee meeting, Panama City, Panama
JULY - NCSL meeting, Salt Lake City, United States
AUGUST - FTAA Negotiating Committee meeting, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
SEPTEMBER - Southern Cone - COPA meeting
3 DISCUSSION WITH PARTNERS
4.1 BRAZIL
We must maintain close ties with the following parliamentary organizations and the executive branch in order to expand our institutional relations while strengthening our ties with the Ministry of Foreign Relations:
- HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND FEDERAL SENATE
- FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: MEETING AND CONTACT WITH PRESIDENT OF BRAZIL
- MINISTRY OF FOREIGN RELATIONS, STATE GOVERNMENTS, AND GOVERNMENT CORPORATIONS
4.2 MERCOSUR
Re-establishing relations with the Uruguay and Paraguay parliaments is crucial, given the absence of representatives from these two countries at recent COPA events.
As Mercosur Parliament discussions intensify, we must establish contacts with parliamentarians of these countries and tell them about COPA.
It goes without saying that Chile and Bolivia also deserve our attention. These two countries have remained outside COPA discussions. They should be better informed of COPA activities.
4.3 FTAA NEGOTIATION MEETINGS AND MEETINGS IN THE REGIONS
As indicated in the travel schedule section above, two FTAA negotiation meetings are already slated for 2004.
They will take place in Panama City, Panama, and Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, and will be an excellent opportunity to meet with parliamentarians from Central American countries and the Caribbean.
4.4 WORK CONFERENCES WITH PARTNERS
Productive permanent relationships must be established with international UN3 organizations including PAHO4, ILO5, CELA6, UNESCO7, and CIESPAL8, as well as non-governmental organizations active internationally.
3United Nations 4Pan American Health Organization 5International Labor Organization 6Center for Latino, Latin American, and Caribbean Studies 7United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization 8International Center for Higher Studies in Journalism for Latin America 4 COPA SECRETARIATS
Secretariat of Information and Communications—URGENT
We must immediately set up a structure within COPA to produce and disseminate information to the public (through the media) and to promote COPA initiatives and concerns.
The priorities of this communication structure will include developing and implementing a Website through the secretariats of Brazil and Canada. Among other things, this will enable us to create an information agency to publicize activities on the COPA work schedule.
The Website will highlight COPA’s planning and executive capacity while providing parliamentarians of other countries access to this information.
Initially, the Website content will be in Portuguese and Spanish (through the Secretariat of Brazil). The Secretariat of Québec will handle translation into French and English.
This communication structure will be used to develop a database for parliamentarians and distribute journalistic content such as press releases, media kits, an interview schedule, live interviews, and newsletters.
ORGANIZATION
As the Secretariat of Brazil has become the Secretariat of the Presidency, we must discuss the next steps with Mexico and Québec. A meeting must be held in March or April 2004 in Brazil to settle this matter.
MAILINGS—INFORMATION FLOW
We must send out the documents from the November 2003 event in Venezuela and establish a fast and efficient system for circulating information via email, mail, and the COPA Magazine.
This is a major challenge for COPA because it is a presidential responsibility, and information must be more accessible to parliamentarians so that they may form an opinion on the organization’s work.
MAILING LIST
The main communication tool of any organization is an up-to-date mailing list for regularly sending news or notices to members. We must work with the other secretariats to develop a reliable list.
This and the preceding activities will help us establish a routine for circulating information and news, which will allow our network to grow.
5 ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES
FUNDRAISING
Fundraising is the most important strategic planning issue, since funding keeps the organization going and will determine our course of action when Ms Maninha becomes president in February 2004.
We are planning a series of visits to state governors to promote COPA and the November 2004 General Assembly.
The Paraná state governor has submitted an initial proposal to hold the event in the town of Foz do Iguaçu, which would cut costs and make sponsorships easier to obtain. The governor is excited about organizing this event of international significance.
We also suggest seeking funding from government corporations, legislative assemblies, international organizations, and the federal government of Brazil.
This could be done by individuals or businesses, or by parliamentarians and their government contacts, in order to promote the General Assembly while simultaneously raising funds.
Discussion of this issue is open and must be expanded to generate more than one option and lead to a final agreement on organizing this momentous international event.
COST ESTIMATE—EARMARKING OF FUNDS
A Management Committee must be created to go over the basic plan and suggest different ways of earmarking funds.
A more detailed analysis of the estimates presented will help us determine the scope of future expenses, reassess our finances, and perform quarterly updates in order to develop a realistic budget.
This issue must be discussed further by the COPA Management Committee to be formed by the president.
Since we will be relying on funding from government corporations, state governments, the federal government, and the house of representatives, we must carefully control spending and define how funds are to be used.
As mentioned above, the COPA Secretariat has done this satisfactorily for two years, with its accounts being certified by the House of Representatives.
Concurrent to the Management Committee meeting, an awareness-raising seminar will be held with the media including journalists from various countries, primarily from the Southern Cone, given its geographic proximity. This should boost interest in the General Assembly and foster greater sympathy and more beneficial use of COPA documentation.
Journalists specializing in international event coverage and international news agency correspondents will be invited to the General Assembly. Workshops, round tables, and presentations should help attract the attention of media bigwigs.
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COPA experts and parliamentarians, including those already present for the Management Committee meeting, would also be invited as speakers.
As necessary, the Management Committee must prepare a report of actual and future spending.
COPA/BRAZIL GENERAL ASSEMBLY
As mentioned above, the first step is to gather resources and form a working group to set up the conference.
To illustrate the complexity of conference organization, below is a list of important steps that must be considered to ensure a successful event.
PHASE I—January to May 2004
This is the current phase, i.e., strategic planning and identification of all steps involved in organizing the COPA General Assembly.
We must hold a meeting of COPA’s secretariats and Executive Committee to formalize the General Assembly and begin organizing.
We will start by putting a specialized firm under contract to handle all graphic design and communications (main event theme, posters, leaflets, invitations, and General Assembly documentation).
Also during this phase, we will visit the selected event venue and hotels, and make initial contact with potential service providers.
We will also have to negotiate with local hotels and service providers to obtain attractive rates for parliamentarians who participate in the event.
June to September 2004
This is the official start of activities with the formation of the “war room” and preparation of event promotional materials.
A strategic meeting must be held in Brasilia/Foz do Iguaçu to determine the next steps and discuss General Assembly themes.
At this stage, we will have already determined the main General Assembly theme and the event preparation schedule.
PHASE II—Starting September 1, 2004
This is the most critical phase, as the countdown will have already begun and we will be sending out documentation and official event correspondence.
During this step, we will send out invitations and promotional materials. At this time, we will also follow up with legislative assemblies and parliamentarians to gauge the level of participation.
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We will begin initial registration, discuss themes, and republicize event information through the media.
We must revisit the event venue and strengthen ties with the organizing staff and State of Paraná partners
Invitations to authorities and international parliamentarians must already have been handled and, if needed, we must work with the state government protocol office in the event that dignitaries will be attending.
Conference preparation will occur in three steps:
1) Technical coordination: Oversee logistics and structural development, i.e., negotiate with service providers, build relationships, and report expenses
2) Political coordination: Discuss General Assembly thrusts with the Executive Committee and build relationships with political authorities
3) Event coordination: Check with other partners to be sure everyone is on the same page
We estimate that this phase will last until November 1, 2004.
PHASE III—November 2004 to April 2005
During this period, we must satisfactorily complete work on the participant arrival process, hotel check-in, transfers, and optional and social programming.
Participant kits and conference materials must be sent to the event venue, and we will work together with the partners.
BASIC GOODS AND SERVICES
- Meeting hall with a capacity of 660 available for three days - Simultaneous interpretation team into English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese - Translators, ceremony guides, and bilingual transcribers - Coffee breaks for participants - Conference materials including paper, pens, folders, and documents - Lunch for all parliamentarians - Recreational activities reflecting the folklore of Brazil and the region - Accommodation for special guests - Logistics involving security and transfers for distinguished guests and high-ranking leaders - Estimate of additional costs with event logistics specialists
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RESOLUTION ON HAITI
Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Parliamentary Confederation of the Americas (COPA)
Brasília, Brazil, from March 22 to March 26, 2004
DEEPLY preoccupied by the ongoing serious political crisis in Haiti, the polarization affecting the country’s political situation, and the devastating impact of extreme poverty on the Haitian people;
CONCERNED by the human rights violations and the weakening of Haitian democratic institutions that have occurred during the last several years;
NOTING that the impasse in which Haiti finds itself is due to the impossibility of settling the political crisis stemming from the elections of May 2000 and of ending the endemic insecurity prevailing in the country;
CONSIDERING the political instability in the country that has led to the departure abroad of the democratically elected President, Mr. Jean-Bertrand Aristide;
CONSIDERING the end of the term of office of the members of the Haitian Chamber of Deputies and Senate, as well as the article of the Haitian constitution that prescribes the organization of elections for their successors by direct suffrage;
CONSIDERING the formal request by the SENATE OF THE REPUBLIC OF HAITI for the re-establishment of a lasting democracy in Haiti within the framework of interparliamentary co-operation;
CONSIDERING that the Charter of the Organization of American States (OAS) recognizes that representative democracy is an indispensable component of stability, peace, and regional development;
CONSIDERING the commitment, repeated time and time again, of the Heads of State and Government of the Americas to defend democracy should there be a sudden, irregular interruption of the political, institutional, and democratic process or of the legitimate exercise of power by a democratically elected government in one of the Member States of the Organization of American States;
REAFFIRMING the principles of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, which proclaim, in Articles 1 and 3, that “[t]he peoples of the Americas have a right to democracy and their governments have an obligation to promote and defend it” and that the “[e]ssential elements of
representative democracy include, inter alia, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, access to and the exercise of power in accordance with the rule of law, the holding of periodic, free, and fair elections based on secret balloting and universal suffrage as an expression of the sovereignty of the people, the pluralistic system of political parties and organizations, and the separation of powers and independence of the branches of government.”
PRAISING the various mediation and conflict reduction endeavours of the last few months, particularly those of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM);
EMPHASIZING the authorization, by the United Nations Organization, of the deployment of a Multinational Interim Force for the purpose of facilitating, among other things, the establishment of the conditions for security and stability in the country and the provision of humanitarian assistance to Haitian people in need of it, particularly through the action of regional and international organizations;
REITERATING that the Parliamentary Confederation of the Americas (COPA) subscribes to non-intervention and the self-determination of peoples as fundamental principles of international law and recognizes and supports respect for constitutional order and the promotion of democracy;
We, the members of the Executive Committee of the Parliamentary Confederation of the Americas (COPA), meeting in Brasilia on March 23 and 24, 2004,
DEPLORE the loss of human life and the material damages resulting from the current crisis and condemn the criminal activities and elements that defy the rule of law;
CALL ON all Haitians to renounce the violence that compromises security and the establishment of a peaceful political climate in this country;
REQUEST of all Haitian political parties and civil society representatives that they restart the national dialogue in an atmosphere of calm, and work together to pacify the political situation, foster social peace, promote the country’s development, and the respect for human rights;
REQUEST that the interim multinational force assure the protection of the members of the Haitian parliament who at this time are legitimately completing their term of office, so that they may discharge their constitutional duties;
CALL ON the Haitian authorities and all political parties and civil society representatives to work towards implementing, within a reasonable timeframe, the minimum conditions—in particular the establishment of a Permanent Electoral Council—required for holding fair, free, and transparent presidential and parliamentary elections; and offer COPA’s cooperation in the form of an electoral observation mission should these conditions be met;
WE COMMIT to working towards a rapprochement of all parties by sending, at a time convenient to the Haitian authorities, a mediation and reconciliation mission directed by the Presidency of COPA.
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RESOLUTION RESPECTING ELECTORAL OBSERVATION MISSIONS
Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Parliamentary Confederation of the Americas (COPA)
Brasília, Brazil, March 22 to 26, 2004
The members of the Executive Committee of the Parliamentary Confederation of the Americas (COPA), meeting in Brasília, Brazil, cognizant of the significance of the process of democratic transition that the majority of our countries are experiencing and the risk of regression into authoritarianism, fully intend to make known their position in the present resolution:
WHEREAS:
1. Democracy is a value fundamental to the coexistence of all peoples;
2. One of the principal missions of the Parliamentary Confederation of the Americas (COPA) is to contribute to strengthening parliamentary democracy and constructing a community of the Americas based on peace and social justice;
3. COPA has always encouraged strengthening the rule of law and respect for human rights;
4. COPA recognizes that political rights are considered by the political community as fundamental rights and as manifestations of the will of the public in favour of the election of the leaders of societies;
5. Political rights are considered to be fundamental human rights, as they enable individuals to play a decisive role in the election process and in the process of renewing public authority;
6. Electoral observation is a means of fostering credible electoral processes and ensuring, through the election of representatives who have received popular legitimacy, greater respect for human rights;
7. Democracy is a type of political system that requires ongoing support and efforts in order to solidify its structure and processes;
8. Social inequalities discourage an environment that is conducive to consolidating democracy
In light of the preceding, the Executive Committee of the Parliamentary Confederation of the Americas hereby resolves to:
RESOLUTION:
1. Prompt our governments to advocate a progressive form of good governance aimed at gathering, handling, and incorporating the requirements of citizens into governmental action, promoting such requirements as criteria for action based on collective utility.
2. Make the parliaments of our countries aware of the significance of the process of reforming the government as a means of achieving good governance, in particular by establishing effective institutions of checks and balances that will enable parliamentarians, the elected representatives of the citizens of the Americas, to maintain effective control over executive authority.
3. Notify the parliaments of the Americas that the core of reform rests not only upon the effectiveness of government, but also on the protection accorded to the minorities of society and, above all, on the establishment of a set of checks on potential excesses of public authority by means of the full and unrestricted exercise of human, individual, and social rights.
4. Promote the expansion of the bases of citizen participation by implementing broader forms of consultation processes and by avoiding despotic and clientelist practices.
5. Encourage efforts to bring citizens closer to the electoral processes and the institutions responsible for such processes.
6. Promote and support programs that civil society organizations put in place to encourage electoral observation, civic education, and government reform.
7. Ensure, during the conduct of electoral observation missions, that the host country authorize and facilitate the travels of observers over the entire national territory and, to that end, request from the electoral authority with whom the are accredited all relevant information from the perspective of facilitating their activities.
8. Implement a Parliamentarian Electoral Observer Program under the auspices of COPA, to be governed by a by-law to that effect adopted by the Permanent Working Thematic Committee on Democracy and Peace and the Executive Committee of COPA.
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