Active Arab parliamentary group participation in Moscow IPU deliberations
The centennial conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Union resumed its deliberations on Tuesday. A Syrian parliamentary delegation led by Speaker of the People's Assembly Abdul Qader Qaddoura is taking part, as is a Moroccan group headed by the first vice-speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives (first chamber of Parliament), Abdelaziz Hafidi.
The conferees discussed the Middle East peace process, globalization challenges, the human rights situation in the world and the role of MPs in fostering the world peace, democracy and stability.
Legislators from 120 countries will also review cooperation prospects, the renewal of the IPU's executive board, struggle against organized crime, illegal trade and elimination of nuclear and mass destruction weapons.
The participating Arab group called for the inclusion of discussions on the realization of just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East and the fighting of drug trafficking and trade on the agenda of the conference.
Qaddoura said that Syria has been against drugs and the drug trade. He added that Syria has strongly contributed to preventing the spread of drugs, according to UN reports.
On the nuclear weapons question, the Syrian PA speaker said Syria supports the idea of making the Middle East a nuclear free zone. He indicated that Israel possesses more than 200 nuclear warheads, adding that Israel is the only one who has not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and refuses to allow its nuclear installations to be subjected to international inspection.
Qaddoura met with Parliament speakers and delegations from Egypt, Sudan, Spain, Canada, Romania, Belarus, Namibia, South Africa, Lebanon and Palestine.
Moreover, the Syrian paper read before the conference dealt with human rights, and the necessity of adopting effective international measures to guarantee the implementation of human rights provision especially for people who live under occupation. The paper said that international law stresses the legitimacy of people's struggle against colonialism. It said that struggle is not terrorism and stressed the importance of holding an international conference to define terrorism and differentiate it from the legitimate resistance of people under occupation.
The Moroccan delegation is taking part in the works of the commissions on Human rights, struggle against drug trafficking and organized crimes as well as in commissions on disarmament, water management and women's rights, Map reported.
The IPU, established in 1889, is considered one of the oldest and largest inter-parliamentary organizations seeking the expansion of relations, coordination of efforts and exchange of experience among World MPs.