IPU passes resolution to stop foreign intervention in internal affairs

The Inter-Parliamentary Union has passed a resolution to stop foreign intervention in internal matters of any sovereign country with 10 delegates voted against the decision.

The IPU passed the resolution at its general assembly in Dhaka on Wednesday, a day after its Standing Committee on Peace and International Security cleared the draft resolution.

Bangladesh Parliament Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury chaired the assembly of the largest parliamentarian forum of the world.

The standing committee on Tuesday passed the draft with 44-10 votes. Belgium refrained from voting.

Bangladesh, India, China were among the 44 countries that voted in favour of the draft resolution.

Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Canada, the UK, Switzerland, Ukraine, Finland, and Iceland voted against the draft. They are considered all allies of the US, which is not a member of the forum.

The key proposal of the 18-point resolution was the prevention of interference of any country with another's internal affairs.

Bangladesh and some other countries delivered speeches on the matter. Those favouring the resolution promised not to intervene in other countries' internal matters in the future. They also opined that a country could intervene in another's internal affairs only following UN laws in special circumstances.

Parliamentarians from various countries took part in discussions on the draft in past two days. Many of them blamed other countries over intervention.

A representative of Portugal said on Wednesday the country was in a bloc of 12 countries against the resolution. They included Belgium, Canada, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Switzerland, Ukraine, the US, and Ireland.

The Portugal representative said human rights is an international issue and other countries should interfere if any country violates the rights.

Later, Speaker Shirin put the resolution for voting, and it was passed. The standing committee chief, L Rojas, presented it.