IPU calls for corrective action to avert coups

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, OCT. 16. The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is seeking ``corrective parliamentary action'' to prevent ``military and other coups'' against democratically-elected Governments.

Dr. Najma Heptullah, in her capacity as the President of the Council of the IPU, said at the inaugural ceremony of the 104th IPU Conference in Jakarta that the fundamental objective of the Union was to contribute to the promotion and strengthening of democracy. The themes of the conference are prevention of military and other coups and financing for development.

In what appeared to be a reference to Pakistan, Dr. Heptullah, Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, said: ``The most worrisome consequence of these coups is that in most cases such undemocratic regimes have least respect for established international norms.''

``They have been supporting and sponsoring terrorism often through fundamentalist militia and drug trade. Innocent civilians have been made captives for ransom without any respect for borders, making a mockery of democracy. These elements have been involved in creating disruption and political instability in the neighbouring countries,'' Dr. Heptullah said.

``Such events have much wider repercussions for the entire region. As the world body of Parliaments, we seek corrective Parliamentary action to discourage such elements,'' she said.

Dr. Heptullah argued that democracy, particularly among developing countries, was an instrument to create a new society with popular participation.

``However, recent events in certain regions have indicated that democracy is under threat by certain organised vested interests,'' she said.

``IPU has expressed deep concern over these retrograde incidents. We condemned the suppression of democratic process. Undermining democratic institutions in these countries has indicated the conflict between growing democratic consciousness and entrenched obscurantist elements. We consider such toppling of democratically elected Governments by military or other coups to be the greatest challenge that threatens to block the progressive evolution of a new society and are a violation of human rights,'' she added.

`South-South cooperation vital'

On the other theme of the conference, Dr. Heptullah said the IPU had carefully studied the social costs of the South-East Asian economic crisis.

``Ever since that crisis, the Inter-Parliamentary Union has been advocating the need for a new global financial architecture to prevent such damaging market volatility... we presume that the current reform in the global economy can become a force for economic democracy. At IPU, we have looked into ways to temper it with human concerns and greater distributive justice...,'' Dr. Heptullah said in her opening remarks.

``While a few countries have been successful in raising living standards, a larger number of countries have seen a decline in living standards and have been falling behind others. These countries need concessional foreign capital and easier access to new technologies. In this respect, South-South cooperation and the development of a common position will be vitally important,'' she said.

Referring to West Asia, she said, ``there is no alternative to the peace process. It is the one and only way to achieve a fair and lasting peace in the Middle East (West Asia) and I do hope this conference will be able to express its full support to the forces of dialogue and peace in the region.''

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Section  : International
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