138th IPU convenes in Geneva

…EALA Speaker addresses General Assembly.

EAST AFRICAN LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: Geneva, Switzerland, March 26^th, 2018: The 138^th IPU Assembly commenced in Geneva, Switzerland yesterday with calls for re-doubled efforts to address the challenge of migration in the wake of the global refugee crises and other factors.

EALA Speaker, Rt Hon Ngoga Karoli Martin addressed over 750 delegates of the Assembly today, calling on delegates to unite and to find common solutions to issues that concern migration and refugees.  He termed as vital the need for policy makers to find solutions to address the refugees issue – which is now a global concern and told the Assembly whose theme is “Strengthening Global regime for Migrants and refugees: The need for evidence-based policy solutions” to be steadfast in finding results.

“Policy makers are not short of evidence and justification to attend to these problems with the attention it deserves. While, we must work together to address how to manage challenges of refugees, we need to work even harder to address the causes”, Rt Hon Ngoga said.

Rt Hon Ngoga who informed delegates, he was born in to a refugee family and grew up until 27 years of age, maintained that while providing protection to people fleeing conflicts in search of refuge was one of humanity’s long-standing traditions, society should inculcate better planning to face the future.

The Speaker urged Parliaments to enact relevant pieces of legislation that protect society, enhance peace and security and address existing inequalities.  He reiterated legislatures should appropriate more resources in national budgets to hold the Executives accountable and to check on rising inequalities and the attendant excesses that give rise to migration.

“I am also of the view that IPU should strive for better governance and the creation and spread of equal opportunities to reach those who deserve the same”, the Speaker said. 

Rt Hon Ngoga urged the national and regional Parliaments especially from the signatory countries to push for domestic legislative realignments in advent of the historic signing of the Continental Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) in Kigali, Rwanda last week; which he lauded, as significant in the progress and development of the African continent.

The week-long Assembly is being attended by more than 740 MPs, including 65 Speakers of Parliament and 216 women parliamentarians. The IPU according to an official dispatch, will ensure that the interests of the 6.5 billion people they represent are part of the global negotiations on the new migration regime. Included in the agenda are comprehensive issues covering strengthening the Parliamentary contribution to the global compact for migration, sustaining peace as a vehicle for achieving sustainable development, tackling women’s underrepresentation in politics, engaging the private sector in the development of renewable energy, and building sustainable and resilient societies.

The EALA delegation consists of Hon Dr Woda Jeremiah, Hon Francoise Uwumukiza and Hon Florence Jematiah Sergon. Others are Hon Mohammed Mnyaa Habib, Hon Dennis Namara and Hon Victor Burukukiye. Yesterday, the EALA Members attended the Women Parliamentarians symposium and joined the collective calls for increased participation of the women in politics. The Members have also attended the Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, Finance and Trade, the Committee on Young Parliamentarians.

Other EAC Partner States’ Speakers in attendance include Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga (Parliament of Uganda), Rt Hon Pascal Nyabenda (Parliament of Burundi), Rt Hon Anthony Lino Makana (Transitional National Legislative Assembly of South Sudan) and Rt Hon Kenneth Lusaka (Senate, Kenya). Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Rwanda, Hon Jeanne Gakuba is also in attendance.

NOTES TO THE EDITOR

The IPU is the global body of Parliamentarians made up of national parliaments from around the world that protects and builds global democracy through political dialogue and concrete action. Currently, IPU that works closely with the UN and other Partner organisations have 178 Member Parliaments and 12 Associate Members. More than 6.5 billion of the world’s 7 billion people live in states whose parliaments are members of the IPU—and it is their elected representatives who engage in and steer our policies. By bringing parliaments together, we bring people together. 

-Ends-

For more Information, contact:

Bobi Odiko,

Senior Public Relations Officer;

East African Legislative Assembly;

Tel: +255-27-2508240 Cell: +255 787 870945+254-733-718036; No in Geneva +41766202463

Email:   bodiko@eachq.org  

Web: https://www.eala.org,

Arusha, Tanzania