The proposal by The Inter Parliamentary Union Committee on Democracy and Human Rights to debate the rights of homosexuals during its next assembly scheduled for March next year has met objections from religious and African delegates, Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Rebecca A. Kadaga has revealed.
A statement issued by the 61-year-old on Thursday indicates that delegates expressed reservations about this proposal. If it happens, the Speaker revealed, Africa Group will not attend.
“It is highly divisive and led to the breakaway of the Africa Church from the Church of England. It should not be part of the agenda,” she stressed.
The 137th Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly and Related Meetings was held in Russia’s Saint Petersburg, 14th – 18th Oct. 2017.
Delegates representing 150 countries, including 100 speakers, 70 deputy speakers and 2,300 guests, including 840 parliamentarians, attended the conference under the theme of promoting multiculturalism and peace through interfaith and interreligious dialogue.
That aside, Marzouq al-Ghanim, Kuwait’s parliament speaker, expelled the Israeli delegation from the meeting calling them “occupiers and child killers” as a reply to their violation of international law and the continued detention of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
“You should grab your bags and leave this hall as you have witnessed the reaction of every honorable parliament around the world,” he said.
“Leave now if you have one ounce of dignity, you occupier, you murderer of children.” The Israeli delegation left the talks following the remarks and, several other parliaments in the midst of applause.
IPU Members also elected a new President. It was a historic vote as for the first time two women presented their candidacy for the post.
The newly elected President is Gabriela Cuevas from Mexico. “It is an honour to follow in the footsteps of Saber. I am committed to continuing the work he began, and taking the IPU to new levels of achievement and global influence,” said Ms. Cuevas.
IPU Member Parliaments called for transparency, accountability and respect for human rights and the rule of law to serve as the basis for building sustainable and peaceful diversity.
cnakalungi@ugchristiannews.com
