A RABP ARLIAMENTARY B U L L E T I N Quarterly newsletter published by UNDP’s Parliamentary Development Initiative in the Arab Region (PDIAR) with the contribution of Arab parliaments and parliamentarians. I SSUE 3 N OVEMBER 2009 The third quarter of 2009 was IN THIS ISSUE marked by the celebration, on the E DITORIAL 15th of September, of the Arab Parliaments’ News International Day of Democracy. 2 Celebrated in many countries across the globe, the Democracy Day was an occasion to highlight the role Arab Legislation of parliamentary institutions in consolidating democratic practices that ensure the equality and prosperity of peoples and nations. The Lebanese parliament commemorated this day by opening its In the Spotlight: doors to the public and organizing a series of events including discussions with MPs and guided visits. 3 Anti-Corruption In our third issue, we are pleased to share with you the experience of Ms. Aseel Al Awadhi, who has Commissions in Arab honored us with an enlightening contribution on her experience as one of the first four Kuwaiti women Legislation to enter the National Assembly. It provides a glimpse of the challenges women face and accomplishments achieved, giving hope to woman across the Arab world and motivating them to 6 Parliaments of the World continue their struggle to get their voices heard. Anti-corruption bodies have recently gained increasing attention as a means to curb corruption. The UN In Focus: Parliamentary Convention Against Corruption recommends the establishment and reinforcement of independent 7 Monitors: An Emerging anti-corruption entities. One of our articles sheds light on the experience of some Arab countries in this Trend in the Arab Region area, particularly on the laws regulating these bodies and the role played by the parliament in the legislative process. Towards Strengthening the Role of Arab Another article examines the role that civil society is playing in overseeing national parliaments in some Arab countries, and how this relatively recent trend can potentially promote transparency of 8 Parliaments accountability in Arab parliaments, and reinstate citizen’s confidence in the legislative institution. in the Reform of Political Party Legislation Two important publications have been added to the list of Arabic-language knowledge materials on strengthening democracy and promoting human development. First, the 5th volume of the UNDP Arab The Road to Parliament Human Development Report (2009), focused on the theme of human security, was launched in Beirut in July. It identifies seven challenges to human security in the Arab region and provides recommendations By MP Aseel Al Awadhi, for action, improvement and reform. 9 Member of the Kuwaiti National Assembly The second knowledge product titled Towards Strengthening the Role of Arab Parliaments in the Reform of Political Party Legislation was published by PDIAR. It compiles the knowledge built in the Challenges to Human framework of the Working Group on Parliaments and the Reform of Political Party Legislation launched by PDIAR in 2006. In addition to workshop reports, the publication includes the regional studies 10 Security in the Arab commissioned by UNDP on key issues affecting political party life, such as party finance and internal Countries governance. One of the goals of this working group was to build consensus over minimum standards for political party legislation in the Arab countries. The final version, approved by representatives of over 40 Arab political parties, has also been published. WE INVITE YOU TO VISIT We thank our readers for the continuous demonstration of interest and support for this e-bulletin and OUR WEBSITE: reiterate our invitation to MPs and practitioners to send us their contributions in the form of articles, www.arabparliaments.org news briefs, or updates on recent parliamentary events in the region. A RABP ARLIAMENTARY B U L L E T I N A rab A rab P arliaments’ L egislation N ews Algeria Approves Draft Law on the 2 Prevention of Crimes Related to Information and Communication Technologies “Open Doors” at the Lebanese National The National People’s Assembly of Algeria Assembly approved a draft law in July 2009 on the The Lebanese National Assembly, in prevention of crimes related to cooperation with UNDP, organized a day of information and communication “Open Doors” in the Parliament on 15 technologies. The new procedure will help September 2009, commemorating the the government formulate the necessary International Day of Democracy that was technical arrangements and put in place proclaimed by the United Nations General the legal framework which should enable it Assembly in 2007 as a way to celebrate to prevent any criminal and terrorist democracy, and as a reminder of the need to attacks on information systems of promote and protect it. The event reflected government institutions. The draft law the Parliament’s commitment to democracy also aims to prevent organized crime, and provided more than 150 Lebanese pirating, and attempts by terrorists to students from various universities and incite hatred and promote violence. The affiliations the opportunity to spend a day on Algerian Minister of Justice assured that the premises of the Lebanese Parliament. The individual freedoms will not be violated as Day was launched with a presentation on the any action by the government requires history of the Parliament, followed by a judicial approval. guided tour of several departments in the parliament, including the main hall where Accession of Iraq to the United discussions with several MPs took place.The Nations Convention to Combat Speaker of Parliament addressed a message Desertification stressing the importance of maintaining the The Iraqi Parliament has approved a law democratic system and called for on May 11th, 2009 for the accession of Iraq incorporating democracy as the basis of the to the UN Convention to Combat Lebanese school curriculum. Desertification . The law aims to prevent desertification and enhance the process of Arab Transitional Parliament Regular flood control and in reducing the silting up Session of river beds, reservoirs, and irrigation The activities of the Arab Transitional canals, and would allow recovery of the Parliament’s second regular session were forest after cutting. Programmes have also launched in Damascus, Syria on September 13 been designed for developing existing and 14, 2009. The discussions focused on the forests and creating new ones. An draft permanent Arab Parliament’s Statute, estimated 2000 hectares of natural forests which includes the Parliament’s goals, are depleted annually in Iraq due to the election process, membership and production of firewood and charcoal, representation of member countries, in which remains within the capacity of addition to representation of women in the forests to supply so long as adequate laws, Parliament, and the Parliament’s oversight arrangements, and measures have been and legislative role. adopted A RABP ARLIAMENTARY B U L L E T I N I n The Spotlight Anti-Corruption Commissions in ArAb LegisLAtion 3 In recent years, corruption 1 has received International Experiences increasing worldwide attention, more Drafting laws on anti-corruption commissions particularly in developing countries. Corruption poses several challenges, as choosing the best is a worldwide phenomenon which undermines model for an anti-corruption commission to democracy and the rule of law, threatens the serve the best interests of the State is not a security of citizens, hinders social and simple task. Some countries have established a economic development and hampers the new anti-corruption commission, while others achievement of the Millennium Development have altered the duties of existent bodies to Goals. In this regard, parliament plays a crucial include combating corruption. Some have role in drafting legislation establishing and merged both models, depending on the needs regulating anti-corruption commissions. This and the available human and financial article sheds light on the experiences of some resources. Arab countries in establishing such entities, and the role of parliament in building the legal Laws on Anti-Corruption Commissions in framework that regulates the functioning of Arab Countries regulating anti-corruption institutions. During the past few years, several Arab countries, such as Jordan, Algeria, Iraq, Qatar, International Instruments Morocco and Yemen 5, have established The international community has contributed anti-corruption commissions. International to raising awareness about the dangers of experiences provide a number of success transboundary corruption. Several regional and stories and lessons learned and are likely to international conventions have been adopted, guide the choices made by countries in creating namely the United Nations Convention Against anti-corruption bodies and enacting legislation Corruption (UNCAC) 2 . To date, 140 countries which determines the prerogatives and degree have signed this convention, 16 of which are of independence. A quick review of the laws Arab countries 3. This convention provides a regulating anti-corruption commissions in the global and binding anti-corruption framework, above-mentioned countries shows some and highlights the need to take institutional interesting differences in this area. measures to combat corruption. As per article 6 4 Independence of the Commissions of the Convention , each State Party shall, in The anti-corruption commission is linked to the accordance with the fundamental