UNB, Dhaka :
The Inter-Parliamentary-Union (IPU) and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) are working together to strengthen the role of parliaments in preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism.
The IPU’s High Level Advisory Group on Counter Terrorism began a meeting in Abu Dhabion Wednesdaywhich will continue untilThursdayto move ahead with operationalizing the Joint IPU-UNODC Programme. This meeting, organized
jointly by the IPU and the UAE Federal National Council, will set targets for assisting parliaments with transforming inter alia UN and IPU resolutions on counter terrorism into national legislation, and promote parliamentary cooperation on the issue. Parliaments play a critical role in strengthening global efforts to counter and prevent terrorism by initiating changes in legislation or enacting new legislation, said the IPU media release issued from Abu Dhabion Wednesday.
It is also parliaments who set budgets for national actions; and who oversee that governmental efforts respect the rule of law, due process and international human rights norms, it said. To support MPs, the High Level Advisory Group, chaired by Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, Speaker of the UAE Parliament, was established as a technical think tank made up of experts in the field. The group is neutral and impartial, refraining from any political position, and designed to serve as a platform to exchange best legislative practices on prevention and counter terrorism measures, and promote peace. Pledging her country’s and her personal commitment to combating the scourge of terrorism and extremist ideology, Dr Al Qubaisi said hosting the Group in her native Abu Dhabi was “both an honour and a dream come true” for her.
