14 jan NEW POLICY STATEMENT ON PREVENTING VIOLENCE AGAINST PARLIAMENTARIANS IN THE GLOBAL CONTEXT OF DEMOCRATIC BACKSLIDING
On December 16, the Board of the @Parliamentary Forum on Small Arms and Light Weapons (the Forum) adopted a Policy Statement on Preventing Violence Against Parliamentarians in the Global Context of Democratic Backsliding.
Worldwide, there is an increasing trend of violence against parliamentarians, which severely undermines democracy. The situation is exacerbated by the global COVID-19 pandemic affecting societies across the globe, jeopardising progress achieved until the date of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda. The situation’s urgency calls for concise and effective steps at the national, regional, and international levels related to preventing violence against parliamentarians to contribute to more peaceful and sustainably developed societies. It has been reaffirmed that during the current pandemic, parliamentarians and democratic institutions are key to adequately addressing social, economic and health crises, and therefore supporting parliamentary institutions and organisations is crucial.
The Forum is convinced that preventing violence against parliamentarians to safeguard peace and sustainable development is fundamental to regain momentum in efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda and to build back better following COVID-19.
Do you want to learn more? Please find the Policy Statement here.
