Press releases

The year 2016 has seen a sharp increase in the number of parliamentarians who have suffered violations of their fundamental rights or who have alleged such violations, according to IPU statistics that underscore once more the dangers MPs face across the world in exercising their mandate and their right to freedom of expression. Marking Human Rights Day 2016 (10 December), IPU released Human Rights Abuses of MPs—2016. This comprehensive overview of the cases being examined by IPU’s Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians shows an overall increase in violations of MPs human rights for the third year in a row.

Women Speakers of Parliament from 35 countries will work together to define concrete actions to promote global economic growth, sustainable development, technological advancement and environmental security. Meeting in Abu Dhabi on 12-13 December under the theme United for Shaping the Future, the Global Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament will focus on their unique role in uniting parliamentarians to deliver sustainable prosperity and security in a rapidly changing world for present and future generations.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union follows up its landmark study on sexism against women MPs with an initiative to advance gender-sensitive reforms in parliament. On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, IPU is launching an innovative approach that challenges parliaments on their functioning and working methods, and how these contribute to gender equality.

Parliamentarians from across the globe declared their commitment to raising the alarm and taking action when serious human rights challenges emerge, particularly in conflict situations. In a declaration on human rights abuses as precursors of conflict, adopted at the conclusion of the 135th IPU Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, IPU Members said that parliamentarians are the guardians of human rights and the rule of law, and if violations or challenges occur they are the early responders.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) spoke out today about the increasing levels of retaliation against MPs for exercising their freedom of expression across the world. In a series of decisions adopted on the violations of the human rights of MPs, the

The Inter-Parliamentary Union’s (IPU) 135th Assembly urged all relevant parties to bring an end to this war. They also called today for the immediate, unimpeded and permanent humanitarian and medical access to the civilian population in Syria in order to ensure that supplies reach over 550,000 people in besieged areas deprived from almost all humanitarian aid.

A new study by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) reveals that sexism, harassment and violence against women MPs are global problems that impede gender equality and undermine the foundations of democracy.

MPs from 138 countries will convene next week in Geneva to determine among other issues specific ways in which parliaments can respond effectively to serious human rights violations and their underlying causes, including human rights situations likely to lead to conflict.

The aspirations for a fairer world set out in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will only be met if there is more democracy worldwide, said the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) today.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted on 25th July by consensus a resolution on Interaction between the United Nations, national parliaments and the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

A new study by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has found major steps forward in how the world’s parliaments are using information and communications technologies (ICT) to engage with citizens.

A global meeting of MPs specializing in international trade has called for urgent action to implement multilateral agreements which benefit the developing world. More than 400 parliamentary delegates from around 60 countries attended the Parliamentary Conference on the World Trade

A meeting of MPs specializing in international trade is expected to call for urgent action to implement multilateral agreements which benefit the developing world. The Parliamentary Conference on the World Trade Organization (WTO), co-chaired by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and

Members of Parliament from the Middle East, including Israel and Palestine, have identified a series of historic first steps to tackle the critical issue of ensuring water supplies across the region. In a unique three-day round-table meeting that ended today

Members of Parliament from the Middle East, including Israel and Palestine, will take part in a round-table event next week to seek solutions to the critical issue of Middle East water resources. The MPs will explore scientific and technological solutions

Members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Committee to Promote Respect for International Humanitarian Law are to undertake a three-day mission to Lebanon to assess the Syrian refugee crisis. The mission, starting on 30 May, will investigate the situation of Syrian

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has stressed the critical importance of the principle of parliamentary immunity after a vote in the Turkish Parliament amending the constitution effectively stripped a quarter of the country’s MPs of their immunity. IPU is concerned that

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