Ahmed Al-Saadoun was addressing the inaugural session of the 18th Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union (AIPU) conference on Monday. Welcoming the eminent guests, Al-Saadoun expressed gratitude to His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, for his patronage of the convention, expressing the hope that it will be crowned with success.
“Arab parliaments should bear the great responsibility of realizing the aspirations of its people by combating financial and administrative corruption, enforcing security and shoring up national economy for the sake of ensuring wise governing and rule of the law,” he said.
Affirming that establishing a democratic system is not an easy task and cannot be attained “with a single step,” the veteran Kuwaiti lawmaker said liberation from dictatorship warrants free elections, freedom of expression, establishment of a regime that ensures respect for individuals’ will and dignity, coupled with fundamental social, economic and political changes.
Civil associations can play a basic role in promoting political awareness and boosting human rights, the Speaker said, hinting that democracy could be measured on the basis of the efficiency and independence of such establishments.
Al-Saadoun, a renowned legislator who served for years as Parliament Chairman and member of the Assembly, touched on the “Arab Spring” events saying that since the AIPU conference held in Qatar last February, the Arab world has witnessed very critical and sensitive events.
He described these developments as unprecedented and strategic. The main motive for these events were the aspirations of the Arab people to live a dignified life with reform, political and civil rights. On the Palestinian question, Al-Saadoun affirmed the inability of the
international community to stop Israel’s aggression and end its occupation of Arab territories. He also criticized the Quartet, accusing some members of being biased in favor of Israel. He called on the federation of member states to help re-unify Palestinian ranks.
Regarding Syria, he assailed the oppressive regime for perpetrating massacres against the Syrian people, and expressed frustration at the failure of the Security Council to pass a resolution against Damascus. He called on member states to coordinate with international and regional bodies to help secure humanitarian aid for the Syrian people.
Al-Saadoun thanked the AIPU Chairman and Head of the Qatari Consultative Council, Mohammad Al-Khulaifi, for the enormous efforts he exerted during his service as the former Head of the union.
In conclusion, Al-Saadoun expressed hope the conferees will end their gathering with recommendations “that might meet the aspirations and hopes of the Arab people”. Although the Arab Spring movement began last year, its effects are still lingering today, the Secretary General of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union (AIPU) said yesterday.
Noureddine Bou Kachouj was speaking during the opening ceremony of the 18th meeting of the AIPU, held under the auspices of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
“The crowds are still calling for freedom, democracy, respect for the law, countering corruption and eliminating poverty,” he stated at the start of the two-day meeting.
He said the uprisings against old regimes have worked well in some Arab countries but “the path ahead is still long for the people of these nations to achieve what they want from their governments.”
These collapsing regime systems face two challenges; inner containment and outer interference that try to impose unfit policies, he said. Arab countries are at a “dangerous” crossroads, because regimes are incapable of fixing their problems.
They lack Arab solidarity and face imminent challenges with terrorism, Kachouj stressed in his speech. As examples of weak Arab systems, Kachouj referred to the Syrian situation.
It has left many civilians dead or stranded without food or fuel for many months, a drastic situation that might lead to civil war if an end to it is not found. He added that the Palestinian front is always in a constant clash with unjust Israeli policies.
Ali Al-Doqbasi, Union Speaker, said yesterday the AIPU conference should focus on means to help the Syrian people with resolutions that aim to end their suffering.
During the opening of the conference, Al-Doqbasi said “it is necessary to stop the massacre perpetrated by the Syrian regime against their people,” adding it is the right of the citizens to live in a just, democratic, and free Syria.
Al-Doqbasi hoped the conference would also address problems effecting Arab social and economic security, namely unemployment.
Since its inception in 2005, the AIPU has focused on efforts to spread welfare and security in the Arab world.
The union has been on a mission to intensify Arab cooperation through the cooperation of Arab parliamentarians.
Al-Doqbasi said the AIPU is always willing to cooperate with other entities such as the Arab League, which played an integral part in formulating the general statute of the union.
