ENGANGING: Member of Parliament Hon. Dudu Murorua participating in discussions with other lawmakers during the 45th Parliamentarian for Global Action (PGA) Annual Forum and the 13th Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians on the International Criminal Court (CAP-ICC) held in Islamabad, Pakistan, in October.
Eino Vatileni
Namibian parliamentarians alongside other lawmakers from around the world, participated in the 45th Annual Forum of Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA), held in Islamabad, Pakistan. The forum, held from October 28-29, 2024, also hosted the 13th Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians on the International Criminal Court (CAP-ICC).
The PGA is a membership organization of parliamentarians committed to promoting democracy, constitutional order, and human rights. Its members include legislators from established democracies and those in transition.The PGA Namibia National Group delegation was led by the chairperson Hon. Juliet Kavetuna who was accompanied on the mission by fellow MPs, Hons. Sebastian Karupu, Maximalliant Katjimune, and Dudu Murorua.
Speaking during a panel discussion, Hon. Kavetuna said Namibia ratified the Rome Statute in 2002 and stressed the importance of respecting human rights and the safeguarding of justice.
“When we are talking about human rights, they are universal and many countries have enshrined them in their constitutions and other laws that speak to the protection of citizens of those countries. But still as we speak, many human rights are being violated and we should make sure that justice is availed to everybody whose rights have been violated,” Kavetuna said.
She added that human rights violations in many countries range from social, psychological, economic and environmental factors that leave many in uncertainty, displacements and war.
Another Namibian MP, Hon. Murorua questioned the assembly on the lack of a taskforce to deal with countries lacking strong anti-money laundering laws.Murorua suggested that a task force be established, similar to the existing Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament Hon. Katjumine stated that Namibia “fundamentally” agrees that the International Criminal Court (ICC) is a crucial instrument for the protection of human rights.
Katjimune added that human rights are inherent, inalienable and indivisible.
Despite that, Katjimune said there are still concerns regarding the trust on the ICC adding that countries which form part of the United Nations are not part of the PGA.
“The first deficit in the judicial institution (ICC) stems primarily from a belief that they are superpowers that have not ratified the Roman Statute. We are of the thinking that as the PGA we form part of the UN to which the ICC falls under, then what is the concern about ratifying the Roman Statute?” Katjimune questioned.
Deputy chairperson Karupu acknowledged the importance of the PGA to advocate for justice across the globe.
ADOPTIONS
The assembly adopted nine items which among others include the promotion of the ratification of the Rome Statute of the ICC and its amendments and ensure the adoption of domestic legislation that fully aligns with the Rome Statute. Other matters are to promote stronger international cooperation and the promotion of public awareness of the ICC and international rule of law.
ABOUT THE PGA
Currently, the PGA comprises approximately 1 200 members from 141 multi-party parliaments across the globe.
ABOUT THE CAP-ICC FORUM
The CAP-ICC is the only global gathering of legislators focused solely on the Rome Statute system of the ICC. It is the largest project of PGA’s Campaign for the Rome Statute of the ICC. Its meetings represent a unique opportunity for several hundred legislators of all continents to discuss and define strategies to advance its universality and effectiveness.
