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International Movement of Parliamentarians for Democracy
-Second IMPD Meeting-Durban, South AfricaFebruary 1-4, 2004 The second meeting of the International Movement of Parliamentarians for Democracy (IMPD), which was founded in February 2003, met in Durban, South Africa at the Third Assembly of the World Movement for Democracy to formalize the Movement by discussing the establishment of a structure and of prospective activities. The meeting included both founding and new members. The following were in attendance: Obed al Dlamini, Swaziland Lennart Brunander, Sweden Tomas Burgos, Spain Margart Dongo, Zimbabwe Michael Gapes, United Kingdom Dolma Gyari, Tibet Bi-khim Hsiao, Taiwan Ben Kapita, Zambia Kanyegere Lwabose, Democratic Republic of Congo Assim Mollazada, Azerbaijan Moses Ndlovi Mzila, Zimbabwe Gervais Chirhalwirwa Nkunzimwami, Democratic Republic of Congo Sebuliba-Mutumba Richard, Uganda Penpa Tsering, Tibet Gianni Vernetti, Italy Gene Ward, United States Chairing the meeting were two participants from the founding meeting, Bi-khim Hsiao and Dolma Gyari. There was broad agreement that even though networks of international parliamentarians do exist, a network dedicated solely to cause of democracy is lacking. Those parliamentarians present, representing 14 countries, reinforced the purpose of the IMPD, namely, to strengthen, re-invigorate, reform, and bolster democracy worldwide and defend democratically elected parliamentarians who are denied their seats or face harassment. The workshop began with a short review of the success of the IMPD since its founding meeting. Participants learned that membership has increased to more than 200 parliamentarians representing 33 countries. Additionally, parliamentarians reviewed the actions the IMPD has undertaken in the past year, including the publication of statements and alerts issued by the Movement condemning instances of violations of democratic rights. The importance of parliamentarians helping their fellow parliamentarians in trouble was stressed, including an example of how Italian parliamentarians have helped the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile get recognized internationally despite Chinese pressure. To strengthen the activities IMPD members and the Movement undertake, it was suggested that the IMPD unite with groups within parliaments and international groups dedicated to specific causes. While discussing the structure of the IMPD, members present concluded that an interim executive committee should be created to perform certain activities before the third meeting of the Movement is convened. These duties include crafting the proposals for an official structure, writing a charter or constitution, deciding on membership criteria, and organizing the third meeting, to take place next year. The IMPD interim executive committee will work with the National Endowment for Democracy, which will remain the Movement's secretariat, to perform these duties. Additionally, regarding membership, the parliamentarians agreed to create a committee with regional representation to promote the Movement and recruit new members. Finally, the second meeting of the IMPD concluded with a discussion of activities members and the Movement can engage in to promote democracy and protect parliamentarians worldwide. Members agreed to continue to write op-eds fighting for the cause of democracy and distribute these op-eds to their fellow IMPD members; statements and alerts will continue to be issued and distributed with continual suggestions from members; members will continue to recruit new members; and a newsletter listing upcoming events, which parliamentarians may be interested in attending to promote the IMPD, as well as other relevant information, will be distributed. |
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