Inter-Parliamentary Union adopts resolutions on cyber-crimes and peaceful coexistence

At the 146th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Manama, Bahrain last week (March 11-15), parliamentarians representing close to 140 countries adopted the Manama Declaration: Promoting peaceful coexistence and inclusive societies, Fighting intolerance and a resolution on Cybercrimes: The new risks to global security.

PNND encourages parliamentarians and civil society representatives to follow-up on these resolutions in their national parliaments/legislatures.

In addition, the assembly:

• Discussed the role of parliamentarians to ensure a successful UN Summit of the Future;
• Launched a new campaign on climate action;
• Hosted high-level meetings with parliamentarians from Ukraine and Russia under the auspices of the IPU Task Force for the peaceful resolution of the war in Ukraine;
• Examined cases of alleged human rights violations against MPs in 14 countries under the auspices of the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians;
• Brought together parliamentarians from Middle East countries - including Palestine, Israel and Bahrain - to further the normalization of relations between these countries

PNND participation in the IPU Assembly

A number of PNND members participated in the Assembly as members of their parliamentary delegations. In addition, PNND Council Member Margareta Kiener Nellen led the official PNND delegation and contributed to some of the debates/discussions. Ms Nellen also represented Peace Women Across the Globe at the IPU Assembly.

- Promoting peaceful coexistence and inclusive societies

Ms Kiener Nellen, in an intervention to the main plenary entitled Promoting peaceful coexistence and inclusive societies: Fighting intolerance, highlighted some relevant international initiatives, including: 

• UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on the role of Women in Peace and Security and UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on the role of Youth in Peace and Security.
• Assuring our Common Future, the IPU/PNND handbook on disarmament, which includes examples of parliamentary action to implement these important UN resolutions on inclusivity.
• Nuclear Disarmament Resource Guide For Religious Leaders and Communities, an inclusive, multi-faith handbook for all religions on nuclear disarmament published by Religions for Peace in cooperation with PNND. It highlights commonalities and cooperation between religious faiths. (The handbook is available for free in English, Arabic, French, German, Japanese and Spanish).
• The UN Alliance for Civilizations which was established to explore the roots of polarization and intolerance between societies and cultures today, and to build a practical program of action to address this issue.

- Cybercrimes: The new risks to global security

Ms Kiener Nellen, in an intervention Peace and Security in Cyberspace, highlighted the resources provided for parliamentarians on this topic in the Parliamentary handbook on Disarmament for Security and Sustainable Development, and in particular the section on Disarmament for Future Generations which addresses emerging weapon technologies that could imperil the security of future generations, such as autonomous weapons systems and the use of force in cyber-space.

Ms Kiener Nellen also referred to the online parliamentary workshop organised by PNND and IPU on The role of parliamentarians to advance peace and disarmament in cyber-space. Click here for the IPU report on the workshop.