Jordan Times
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Arab parliamentarians convene for 12th biannual conference
AMMAN (JT) — His Majesty King Abdullah is
scheduled to inaugurate the 12th biannual conference of the Arab
Inter-Parliamentary Union (AIPU) at the Dead Sea on Monday, a Lower House
official said on Saturday.
A total of 22 delegations representing member groups of the organisation have
been arriving here over the past few days to take part in the two-day event.
The IPU assembly is scheduled to meet today to discuss topics tabled for
discussion during the conference, according to Fayes Shawabkah, head of the
Lower House Permanent Office.
Parliamentarians are expected to discuss the possibility of including the
controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad published by a Danish newspaper,
which sparked worldwide anger.
Participants include representatives of the International Parliamentary Union,
the Islamic conference and the Arab League.
Among many subjects up for discussion, parliamentarians will focus on the Arab
parliamentary experience in the light of the current developments in Iraq and
Palestine, as well as other related issues.
They will also discuss election processes, the right to candidature for
parliament, the principle of separation of powers and its effect on democratic
practice, water and its strategic role in the Arab world, human rights and the
rights of the disabled in Arab countries, among other topics.
The Damascus-based Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union (AIPU) was established in 1974
with the aim of strengthening contacts and promoting dialogue among Arab
parliaments and parliamentarians.
Other objectives include working to enhance democratic concepts and values in
Arab countries, the coordination and unification of legislation in Arab
countries and consolidating cooperation among peoples of the world for the
establishment of peace based on justice.