‘IPU to propose ways to fight extremism’

The IPU, the global forum of parliamentarians, will come up with a proposal for action for the parliamentary community worldwide to combat terrorism and religious extremism.

Martin Chungong, secretary general of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, disclosed the plan at a media briefing at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Dhaka today.

The action plan will be announced on the concluding day of five-day long 136th IPU assembly that began on Saturday in Dhaka.

Chungong said the proposal would highlight how parliaments can take practical steps in national and international level to reduce inequality and restore human dignity in social, political and economic areas.

Pointing to the global phenomenon of terrorism and militancy, the IPU secretary general said, “We have to stop extremism before it becomes an issue.”

“Violent extremism is born out of frustration, out of inequality in the society, injustice, violation of human rights and lack of opportunity--so these are the things we are addressing in the strategy to combat terrorism and militancy,” he said.

He also said terrorism is the single most dangerous threat to peace and stability, in the world today. “It is a global phenomenon. Today no society is immune from terrorism, therefore, we need a global solution.” 

While participating in a debate titled “Role of parliament in preventing outside interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states”, the Lebanese delegation proposed that no member country of IPU would finance or assist terrorism.

Held at BICC, most of the member countries supported the Lebanese proposal and it will be included in the final resolution, an IPU official said.