New Zealand contributes to global actions on migration and human rights

Three members of Parliament will represent New Zealand at an international forum focused on promoting democracy and human rights.

Rt Hon David Carter, is leading the delegation, including Deputy Speaker Hon Anne Tolley MP and Louisa Wall MP, to the 138th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland from 24 to 28 March 2018.

Speaker, Rt Hon Trevor Mallard said, “The IPU is an important forum for political dialogue and positive democratic change. Our regular participation with the IPU ensures that the New Zealand Parliament’s perspectives on the many issues facing the international parliamentary community are presented. I am pleased that the delegation will be able to connect with colleagues from around the globe and they will share best practice, innovations, and solutions.”

New Zealand will contribute to the central debate on the theme ‘Strengthening the global regime for migrants and refugees: the need for evidence-based policy solutions’. Delegates will also participate in Standing Committees which will examine the role of parliaments in ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, supporting sustainable development and renewable energy, health, and nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. Meetings of women and young parliamentarians will be held, to discuss and develop mechanisms for ensuring diversity and representativeness in parliaments.

Immediately prior to the Assembly, New Zealand’s permanent representative to the IPU, Rt Hon David Carter will take part in a mission on behalf of the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians to the Maldives. He will also represent New Zealand at the IPU’s roundtable on the Common Principles for Support to Parliaments following the Assembly.

The IPU brings together parliamentarians from over 170 countries, twice a year. Members have diverse systems of government, cultures, and histories, but share a commitment to peace and cooperation among peoples. The IPU was established in 1889 and remains the world-wide focal point for parliamentary dialogue and a global champion of representative democracy and human rights.

ENDS

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