Members of Parliament from twenty-two Asian countries gave a loud applause to the closing session of the 8th Asian Parliamentary Assembly in the evening of 11 December 2015 at Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel and Residence. Members of Parliament from Asia are shoulder to shoulder and show firm solidarity with Asian family. The closing session was held under the presidency of Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei HENG SAMRIN, President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and President of APA.
Members of parliament from 22 Asian countries gathered in the Kingdom of Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh from 06-11 December 2015 for the 8th Plenary Session of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly.
During the closing session, Asian parliaments issued a Phnom Penh Declaration by recognizing that peoples in Asia have created brilliant civilization, philosophies, religions, cultures, arts, ideologies and made great achievement in science and technology in response to the demands of societies, but are also aware of the existence of means of mass destruction.
Phnom Penh Declaration, dated 11 December 2015, emphasized that violence extremism, which can be conducive to terrorism, should not be associated with any culture, civilization, religion or ethnicity and should be neither tolerated nor condoned. The settlement of issue through radicalization, violence extremism, terrorism or war causes great hardship, and breeds even more violence.
The two-page Phnom Penh Declaration underlined the commitment to societies based on the rule of law with Asian parliaments not only representing Asian peoples and overseeing the governments, but also enacting legislation and promoting dialogue, reconciliation and a culture of peace.
Do hereby express our commitment to denouncing the use of violence, force and war in the settlement of differences and disputes in international relations. We uphold the principles of peaceful coexistence and negotiation in solving international disputes. We are committed to combating all forms of terrorism and occupation through international cooperation and laws, the declaration said.
Asian parliament, through its 8th Plenary Session, underlined that the enhancement of moderation agenda and deradicalization initiatives, involving every level of society, including youth and private sector, while addressing and combating root causes of radicalism, violent extremism and terrorism. The declaration also stressed the importance of the UN sustainable development goals.
The declaration adheres firmly to the relevant principles of international law enshrined in the United Nations Charter, instruments and other conventions pertaining to the solution of international conflicts, while emphasizing the need to promote peace, reconciliation and dialogue in Asia aimed at promoting democracy, rule of law and the role of parliament.
At the end of the session, Asian parliaments stated that they have set up a regional protocol which can serve as a legal tool for implementation and protection in the event of any sub-regional, regional and international crises.
Addressing the closing session, H.E. Dr. Nguon Nhel, Second Vice-President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and President of the APA Organizational Committee, stated that in reality, the 8th Plenary Session has proceeded in a close and pleasant atmosphere with firm solidarity and good cooperation from all parties concerned, primarily from heads and members of the delegations and partner organizations attending the plenary so as to make this plenary a resounding success and proudly great achievement. He went on to say that the Permanent Standing Committee as well as Ad-Hoc Committee of adopted 18 resolutions to be submitted to the 8th Plenary Session for adoption. He added these draft resolutions are fruitful achievement that stemmed from willingly strenuous efforts with high sense of responsibility expended by all participants who represent Asian peoples in seeking and ensuring peace, stability, prosperity and the welfare for Asian peoples.
Meanwhile, Samdech Akka Moha Ponhea Chakrei HENG SAMRIN, President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia, said members of parliament who represent the will of peoples in the region are obliged to carry the burden of core duty and high responsibility in ensuring security for their citizens. Despite parliaments have the role in drawing up, enacting legislation and overseeing the execution of governments, legislative outcome symbolizes the heart of peoples.
The APA president added that these are legal binding tasks that require effective implementation by executive branches. He further stressed that to this end, we have to forge closer and effective cooperation among legislative and executive branches.
It my firm conviction that a positive outcome produced by the 8th APA Plenary Session will surely bring about peace and prosperity to peoples of Asia.
Article and picture courtesy of the Information Department
