The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is deeply concerned over the fate of two former Iraqi MPs, one of whom is facing the death sentence and allegedly in solitary confinement without access to medical treatment.
 
It is urging Iraqi authorities to lift the death sentence against Ahmed Jamil Salman Al-Alwani, a prominent critic of former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki and the persecution of Sunni Muslims. IPU is also calling for the immediate release of Mohammed Al-Dainy who remains in prison despite being acquitted of a series of trumped up charges.
 

Geneva
 
Parliamentarians from 137 countries have committed to action aimed at tackling two of the most challenging issues facing the world today – migration and the protection of digital freedoms - as they concluded a global parliamentary conference in Geneva.
 
Adopting a resolution on democracy in the digital era at the 133rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the MPs have set new standards on protecting democracy and digital freedoms in an age of mass surveillance.
 

Countries hosting refugees must comply with the principles of international refugee and humanitarian laws to ensure their protection in the wake of the worst refugee crisis since the Second World War, a global conference of national parliaments has declared in Geneva.

Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Rt Hon Justice Dr Patrick Matibini, SC, MP, led the Zambian Parliamentary delegation that is currently in Geneva, Switzerland in praying and fasting for Zambia. 

Geneva, 14 October 2015
 Parliamentarians from nearly 130 countries will focus on parliamentary action on the increasingly complex and often divisive issue of migration at a global conference in Geneva later this week.
 

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) UK has released its Newsletter for the month of October. For more details click here

The 61st General Assembly of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) has appointed a new Secretary-General for the Association.

Mr Karimulla Akbar Khan was recommended to the 61st General Assembly by the Association’s International Executive Committee, which is made up of representatives of the nine regions of the CPA – Africa; Asia; Australia; British Islands and Mediterranean; Canada; Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic; India; Pacific; South-East Asia.

Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Rt. Hon Justice Dr Patrick Matibini, SC, MP has urged Zambians to reflect on the various ways in which they can participate in the democratisation processes of the country.

The 61^st Commonwealth Parliamentary Association General Assembly has appointed Mr Karimullah Akbar Khan of the United Kingdom as Secretary-General of the CPA.

30th September, 2015