mseap

Photo: Duma. Adalbi Shkhagoshev, First Deputy Head of the United Russia faction, Member of the Committee on Security and Corruption Control   On May 19, an intra-factional group, headed by Adalbi Shkhagoshev, First Deputy Head of the United Russia faction, held a meeting with Sergey Ryabkov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia via video-conference.   During the meeting, Shkhagoshev mentioned about the annual international parliamentary forum “Development of Parliamentarism,” initiated by the State Duma. He emphasized the need to strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation with the rest of the world by hosting the Forum after the COVID-19 pandemic crisis comes to end. In regards to the Forum, Ryabkov said that such events provide a unique opportunity for direct communication to address major issues, but also for preparation of recommendations for executive authorities.   Ryabkov also expressed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ will to participate in the development of conference programme, documents and recommendations. Additionally, they discussed development COVID-19 vaccine, and emphasized that any country that becomes the first to develop such vaccine should share with the world.   International Forum “Development of Parliamentarism” first took place in June 2018, organized upon the initiative of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russia. The Forum aims to strengthen cooperation among countries and their allies and collective efforts to counter common challenges and threats in the world. The most recent Forum was The 2nd International Forum “Development of Parliamentarism” from July 1 to 3. The forum accommodated representatives of 132 states, about 800 foreign guests and delegations from 14 international parliamentary organizations, and 41 speakers representing the national parliaments.     [Sources] Duma. (2020, May 20). Adalbi Shkhagoshev: Foreign Ministry stressed the importance of holding the Forum "Development of Parliamentarism" after the pandemic. Retrieved from http://duma.gov.ru/en/news/48594/   Duma. (2019, July 01). Parliamentarians discussed how to ensure security and stability in the world. Retrieved from http://duma.gov.ru/en/news/45534/     BY MSEAP Cyber Secretariat (mseap@assembly.go.kr)

Photo: Ifpnews: Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf elected as Iranian Parliament’s new Speaker   On May 28, Iran’s new parliament elected a new Speaker. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, a former mayor of Tehran, will be replacing Ali Larijani, who has served as the Parliament’s Speaker since 2008.   Iran’s newly-elected parliament convened for the first time on May 27, after thorough testing of lawmakers and strict regulations of wearing masks and keeping social distance. The day after, the parliamentary session proceeded with a vote to elect a new Speaker. Out of 264 lawmakers present during the session, 230 voted for Qalibaf.   Qalibaf is a 58-year-old politician who served in the military starting from his 20s and as a mayor of Tehran for 12 years. During his term in the office, he improved the city's subway lines and worked to introduce modern buildings to its landscape.     [Sources] Ifp. (2020, May 28). Qalibaf Elected as New Speaker of Iran's Parliament. Retrieved from https://ifpnews.com/qalibaf-elected-as-new-speaker-of-irans-parliament   TRTWorld. (2020, May 27). New Iran parliament convenes under strict coronavirus curbs. Retrieved from https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/new-iran-parliament-convenes-under-strict-coronavirus-curbs-36672   Vahdat, A. (2020, May 28). Tough ex-mayor new Iran parliament speaker. Retrieved from https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/6773567/tough-ex-mayor-new-iran-parliament-speaker/?cs=8     BY MSEAP Cyber Secretariat (mseap@assembly.go.kr)

Photo: OSCE PA. Webinar on “Protecting Refugees and Migrants During the Pandemic: Camps and Closed Centres Under Lockdown”   In the midst of COVID-19 pandemic limiting people from holding offline meetings, OSCE PA is continuously hosting webinars to gather parliamentarians for crucial discussions about how to improve the situation in diverse fields. It has convened another webinar under the theme “Protecting refugees and migrants during the pandemic: Camps and closed centres under lockdown,” on May 26.   The webinar was held as the Assembly recognized refugees and asylum seekers as some of the most marginalized people, which makes them more vulnerable to the contraction of the virus. George Tsereteli (Georgia), OSCE PA President, Margareta Cederfelt (Sweden), Vice-President, Dunja Mijatovic, Acting Chair of the OSCE PA Ad Hoc Committee on Migration, Gianluca Rocco, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Lord Alf Dubs (United Kingdom), Chief of Mission and Regional Response Coordinator of the International Organization for Migration Office in Greece, Roberto Montella, Member of the Ad Hoc Committee on Migration and OSCE PA Secretary General, and 12 parliamentarians participated in the discussion.   During the meeting, Cederfelt stated that they need to guarantee necessary health care to the migrants and impose proportionate and non-discriminatory measures of quarantine and isolation. “Human rights and shared responsibility must take centre stage to protect the dignity of those affected, and to make these systems more resilient to future crises,” Commissioner Mijatovic added. Gianluca Rocco, Chief of the IOM Mission in Greece and Regional Response Coordinator, explained to the OSCE PA members about the current situation in Greece, as it is a migrant ‘hotspot’ in Europe, and emphasized the need to share relocation efforts of vulnerable populations with other EU member states.   The members also discussed other related issues, such as unaccompanied minors issues and concerns about spiking racism and xenophobia. The participants agreed that a high level of co-ordination among countries, sharing of information and experience, and support from relevant international organizations to solve the problems related to migration are crucial.     [Sources] Parry, N. (2020, May 26). Protecting refugees and migrants from COVID-19 essential for protecting wider society, participants say in OSCE PA webinar. Retrieved from https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/2020/protecting-refugees-and-migrants-from-covid-19-essential-for-protecting-wider-society-participants-say-in-osce-pa-webinar     BY MSEAP Cyber Secretariat (mseap@assembly.go.kr)

Photo: Islamic Parliament of Iran. Iranian Speaker Ali Larijani   Congratulating Eid al-Fitr(marking the fasting month of Ramadan), Iranian Speaker Ali Larijani sent a message of hope and cooperation to his counterparts in the Islamic region on May 24.   Beginning with the felicitation of Eid al-Fitr, Larijani stated that the role and performance of Islamic countries’ parliaments have been effective in solving crises in the Islamic region such as COVID-19 pandemic. He said that in the time of such challenge, the Islamic Ummah(community) needs to strengthen empathy and unity to overcome the crisis. He closed his words with wishing success, prosperity, and blessing for parliaments, governments and people of Islamic countries on the occasion.   In addition, Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education has decided to loosen the emergency lockdown of Iran and partially reopen religious and cultural sites. In a statement broadcast on state television, President Hassan Rouhani stated that museums and historical sites will receive on the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. Shrines will also reopen, but only for three hours in the morning and three hours in the afternoon, as they were some of the main areas where the infection was prevalent. Moreover, all workers are allowed to return to work from May 30, while screening will be strengthened and patients will be kept in separation from the public.   [Sources] ABNA. (2020, May 24). Iranian Parliament Speaker felicitates counterparts in Islamic countries on Eid al-Fitr. Retrieved from https://en.abna24.com/news//iranian-parliament-speaker-felicitates-counterparts-in-islamic-countries-on-eid-al-fitr_1039904.html   Islamic Parliament of Iran. (2020, May 24). Larijani emphasizes role of parliaments in fighting Islamic World challenges. Retrieved from https://en.parliran.ir/eng/en/Content/articles_56361/Larijani-emphasizes-role-of-parliaments-in-fighting-Islamic-World-challenges   Al Jazeera. (2020, May 23). Rouhani says Iran to reopen cultural and religious sites. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/05/rouhani-iran-reopen-cultural-religious-sites-200523080422915.html     BY MSEAP Cyber Secretariat (mseap@assembly.go.kr)