After passing resolution, IPU closes its conference<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The 104th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) closed
\nits week-long conference by calling for a review on the
\neffectiveness of embargoes and economic sanctions to resolve
\ninternational issues.<\/p>\n
The conference also called for a reassessment of various
\ninternational and unilateral sanctions such as those imposed on
\nBurundi, Cuba and the United Nations' sanction on Iraq.<\/p>\n
The resolution stressed that while economic sanctions --
\nalthough still a legitimate political instrument -- should be
\navoided because they inflict suffering on too many innocent
\npeople.<\/p>\n
As many as 834 delegates voted in favor of the resolution
\ntitled "Are embargoes and economic sanctions still ethically
\nacceptable, do they still work, and are they suited to achieving
\ntheir purpose in an even more globalized word".<\/p>\n
There were 245 against and 159 abstained.<\/p>\n
"Embargoes and economic sanctions affect a wide range of
\npeople, especially woman and children," IPU president Najma
\nHeptulla remarked.<\/p>\n
The resolution, proposed by Belgium, also demanded medicines
\nand foodstuffs be systematically excluded from any multilateral
\nor unilateral sanction.<\/p>\n
There was an attempt during the plenary to amend a paragraph
\nin the resolution which would directly call for a lifting of
\nsanctions against Iraq.<\/p>\n
But it failed to gain the two-thirds vote required to be
\naccepted as 595 voted in favor, 517 against and 105 abstained.<\/p>\n
In the end it was accepted as a note of the resolution.<\/p>\n
The United States was also called on to exercise the utmost
\ncircumspection by examining the humanitarian repercussions of
\nsanctions.<\/p>\n
The conference also approved a resolution titled "Financing
\nfor development and a new paradigm of economic and social
\ndevelopment designed to eradicate poverty".<\/p>\n
It called on both developed and developing countries to pursue
\ndevelopment with a human face through economic measures, such as
\ncredit facilities for small and medium-scale enterprises, small-
\nscale financing initiatives and household debt relief.<\/p>\n
The other resolution unanimously adopted was titled "The
\nprevention of military and other coups against democratically
\nelected government and against the free will of the peoples
\nexpressed through direct suffrage, and action to address grave
\nviolations of the human rights of parliamentarians".<\/p>\n
It strongly condemned all attempts, successful or otherwise,
\nto overthrow democratically elected government by military or
\nother undemocratic means.<\/p>\n
Najma said the resolution was based on events which occurred
\nin Fiji, Myanmar and Pakistan.<\/p>\n
"The topic was decided last year in Amman Jordan, it has no
\nrelation with Indonesia," she remarked, adding that a military
\ncoup seemed far from likely here.<\/p>\n
The conference a day earlier also adopted a resolution on
\nviolence in the Middle East. However it stopped short of
\ncondemning Israel.<\/p>\n
The next IPU conference will take place in Havana, Cuba. (jun)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/after-passing-resolution-ipu-closes-its-conference-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }