13 March 2023
To download the video link of the National Assembly Speaker, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula @ #IPU146 please click: https://we.tl/t-xLAMXjTXy4
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Parliament, Monday, 13 March 2023 – The Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa – Nqakula has called for introspection of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s (IPU’s) role in fighting intolerance, violence and conflict.
The Speaker addressed the General Assembly of the 146th Session of the IPU under the theme Promoting peaceful coexistence and inclusive societies: Fighting Intolerance. Her call for introspection stems from independent reports that decried the sustained decline of peace and tolerance over the last 15 years globally.
“In respect of peaceful co-existence in the world, we must speak truth to ourselves by asking the unpalatable question, how could this undesirable trend emerge and grow right under our noses as world Parliamentarians? We know very well that peaceful co-existence in societies is fundamental for human development, progress and prosperity, and therefore, must hold ourselves accountable for these outcomes, and seek ways to arrest and reverse these trends,” she said.
The Speaker emphasized the need for parliaments to appreciate fully their role as premier strategic institutions of their respective societies that carry on their shoulders the hopes and aspirations of all the people of that society in their diversity. She highlighted the need for parliaments across the globe to fight intolerance and to shoulder the responsibility of being teachers of love in their respective countries.
She believes this kind of approach is important for human development, progress and prosperity, and therefore, parliamentarians must hold themselves accountable for these outcomes, and seek ways to arrest and reverse these trends.
She urged parliaments to fight intolerance by creating platforms for dialogue and negotiation, establishing mechanisms for truth and reconciliation, amending or abolishing legislation that promotes intolerance through a democratically elected parliamentary assembly, ensuring Parliament serves as a platform for public debate and that it holds government accountable in implementing international human rights agreements, related laws and policies.
The Speaker said although South Africa may not have solved all the historical challenges that include intolerance, racial discrimination, exclusion and divisions in the country faced, there are interventions which are good lessons for consideration and emulation, including efforts to convince people to appreciate a need for co-existence, tolerance and meaningful accommodation of even views of minorities.
The Assembly, which started on 11 March, welcomed back Liberia as one of the founding members of the 133-year body of parliaments of the world, after many years of isolation, increasing the IPU membership to 179. The session also endorsed the recommendations of its executive committee to approve Angola and the October 2023 hosts of the bi-annual IPU General Assembly.
Foremost on the programme of the 146th Assembly of the IPU are the following issues: peace and international security, sustainable development and democracy and human rights.
Those wishing to do interviews with the leader of the South African Parliamentary delegation and other Members of Parliament are welcome to contact Mr Manelisi Wolela through WhatsApp and email: +27760622180 / mwolela@parliament.gov.za
ISSUED BY PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
