
Free and fair elections
In a year full of elections, rediscover the IPU's Declaration on the Criteria for Free and Fair Elections, unanimously adopted by its Members on 26 March 1994 in Paris, France.
Read the declarationIn 2017, as we set out on a new strategic cycle, our objective was “the advancement of democratic values, the rule of law and strong, representative institutions, and the promotion of gender equality and human rights.” Five years on, what impact ...
Read moreAs part of the IPU series called 'A conversation with...', we interview parliamentarians from all over the world to find out who they represent and what motivates them. In this edition, we discover Vincent Tsvangirai, MP from Zimbabwe.
Read moreMPs can sometimes be subject to human rights violations, ranging from arbitrary detention and exclusion from public life to even kidnapping and murder in the worst cases. The IPU has been defending MPs in danger for the past 40 years through its Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians. The map below shows the latest alleged violations of ...
Read moreThe third Global Parliamentary Report examines public engagement in the work of parliament. The information, findings and recommendations in this report set out a road map for enhanced public engagement by parliaments and parliamentarians, working collaboratively with the community to ...
Read moreThe world walked into 2021 with the shadow of COVID-19 looming large over its head. As well as posing a major health risk, the pandemic had also caused economic and social upheaval. Political life had been affected too, from the challenge ...
Read moreHalf the world’s population is under 30 and yet only 2.6% of MPs globally represent this age group. The IPU has identified the six ways to change this.
We help strengthen parliaments to make them more effective and representative.
We work to increase women’s representation in parliament and empower women MPs.
We defend the human rights of parliamentarians and help them uphold the rights of all.
We help parliaments fight terrorism, cyber warfare and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
We create the global space for parliamentary diplomacy, dialogue and networking.
We encourage youth participation in parliaments and empower young MPs.
We support parliaments in implementing the SDGs with a particular focus on health and climate change.
We bring a parliamentary dimension to United Nations processes to ensure international commitments become national realities.