Latest news with #CommonwealthParliamentaryAssociation
IOL News
06-08-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
MKP rejects the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association as 'a neo-colonialism tool'
MKP's KwaZulu-Natal MPL Ishana Barciela has described the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) as an extension of Britain's neocolonialism. Image: KZN Legislature website The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) in the KwaZulu-Natal legislature has rejected the election of MPLs to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), which it described as the extension of Britain's neo-colonialism. DA MPL Dr Imran Keeka and ANC's Mncedisi Maphisa were elected CPA additional members, while the IFP's Blessed Gwala became its KwaZulu-Natal branch treasurer. Provincial Speaker Nontembeko Boyce and her deputy, Mmabatho Tembe, were automatically appointed the CPA's branch president and deputy president, respectively, as per their parliamentary positions. They were elected on Tuesday during an event, which was attended by CPA Secretary General Stephen Twigg, a former State for Schools Minister in the United Kingdom, at the provincial legislature in Pietermaritzburg. CPA is made up of the British legislature and its former colonies around the world. 'The CPA, led by King Charles III, whose title rests on stolen labour, expropriated land, and the blood of the colonised, remains a propaganda instrument of empire, cloaked in the rhetoric of 'parliamentary cooperation',' MKP MPL Ishana Barciela said in a statement. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The Commonwealth is made up of 56 former colonies in Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe, and the Pacific. The provincial parliament joined the CPA on June 1, 1994, and became a branch on January 1, 1996. Barciela said that since it was established in 1911, the CPA had done nothing to dismantle colonial legacies. 'But it has reinforced Westminster-centric models of governance that are fundamentally incompatible with African revolutionary traditions and indigenous self-determination,' she said. MKP said the CPA is an ideological weapon used to benchmark democracy according to British standards while suppressing African systems and revolutionary visions. 'We are not aligned with the CPA, and we reject its legitimacy, fulfilling the role of a neo-colonial extension of the British Crown's global influence,' said Barciela. She accused the CPA of being tight-lipped on the genocide in Gaza. 'The CPA's deafening silence in the face of apartheid and genocide exposes its racist double standard and moral bankruptcy. 'This silence is complicity, and it should disturb every honest parliamentarian in Africa,' she said. She said the MKP was unapologetically anti-colonial and anti-imperialist, a stance that was aligned with BRICS and the South-South Cooperation (SSC). 'Let it be known that the MKP bears no affection for King Charles and has no respect for the CPA. 'We are building a new Africa: one that is free, sovereign, socialist and united, and neocolonial institutions have no place in this future,' said Barciela. Gwala, who has been participating in the CPA since he became an MPL in 1994, lashed out at the MKP, saying that even its leader, Jacob Zuma, was participating in the association's programmes. 'Unfortunately, to the MKP, whatever is done by someone who is not a member of the MKP is wrong. 'Jacob Zuma did attend these programmes,' he said. He said the MKP was associating everything '(that is)wrong with white people because they stole the land'. He said the CPA does not instill colonialism in the minds of its participants, and 'it is a figment of their imagination as the MKP to believe that it is so because it is not so". 'We need to deal with the issues in a manner that will bring social cohesion, which forms part of the CPA, which trains the parliamentarians,' said Gwala. Gwala said some of the CPA programmes had been implemented in the provincial legislature. '(These include) Programmes of parliamentary democracy, such as gender based issues and quotas to be given to women and youth,' said Gwala. Relaunching the CPA's KwaZulu-Natal branch, Boyce described the CPA as a network of like-minded parliamentarians from over 180 branches across the nine Commonwealth regions who believed in dialogue and diversity-fueled innovation. 'At its heart, the CPA seeks to strengthen democratic institutions and promote human rights and the rule of law. 'It reminds us that parliamentary work is not just about lawmaking, it's about listening, accountability, and ensuring that the voices of ordinary people find expression in the decisions we take,' said Boyce. She said that through its previous participation, the provincial legislature contributed meaningfully to conversations on parliamentary oversight, the role of subnational legislatures, and women's representation.
Hindustan Times
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Lok Sabha speaker to inaugurate CPA annual conference in Dharamshala
Jun 29, 2025 07:54 PM IST Tapovan Vidhan Sabha Complex in Dharamshala is all set for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Annual Conference – India Zone II, to be held from June 30 to July 1. Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla (File) Lok Sabha speaker and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association India Chairman Om Birla will reach Dharamshala will inaugurate the conference. Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh has already reached Dharamshala. The theme of the Conference is: 'Good governance in the digital era: Managing resources, defending democracy, and embracing innovation'. Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu will address the conference on the inaugural occasion. Tapovan Vidhan Sabha complex in Dharamshala is going to host the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference for the first time. Speakers from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka have reached Dharamshala by air to attend the conference. Commonwealth Parliamentary Association India Zone - II comprises five states which include Himachal, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Jammu-Kashmir. Himachal assembly speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania is the coordinator. 'A total of 178 representatives are participating in this conference, which includes the Lok Sabha speaker, Rajya Sabha deputy speaker and speakers, deputy speakers, leaders of opposition, chief whip, deputy chief whip and the members of eight states,' Pathania said.
BBC News
20-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Guernsey general election was remarkable, observers say
Guernsey's general election had "no major faults" which was impressive given recent changes to the way islanders vote, according to independent British Islands and Mediterranean Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association made the finding in its preliminary election observation Reynolds, President of the Senate of St Lucia, one of the observers, said: "While no election is perfect, this one had no major faults – remarkable for a state that has only recently undergone a major change in the way it votes."Voters backed the move to elect politicians from an entire island constituency, rather than the previous district system, at a referendum in 2018. The association, which also included parliamentarians from Montserrat and Scotland, visited each of the island's eight polling was the first in-person, island-wide election observation mission in Guernsey's said: "Coming from another island state, it has been fascinating to observe the democratic process in Guernsey. "I have been overwhelmed by the dedication and enthusiasm of volunteers across the island. "They should take great pride in the work they did to ensure a smooth, efficient and calm process for voters across the island." Declining voter registration The preliminary report commended Guernsey on its "notable progress in fostering a more inclusive and representative political environment".It noted the number of women candidates hit a record high of 33% of total candidates this election and the observers praised the multiple opportunities voters were given a cast their advanced polling days were organised in addition to postal voting and polling the report drew attention to declining voter registration, with 52% of eligible voters registered before the election, the lowest since full report, which will delve further and make recommendations to strengthen Guernsey's democratic process, will be published in two months, said the association.
India Gazette
20-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Himachal Pradesh Speaker invites CM to CPA India Region Zone-II annual conference in Dharamshala
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], June 20 (ANI): Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, Kuldeep Singh Pathania, has extended a formal invitation to Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to grace the inaugural ceremony of the Annual Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), India Region, Zone-II, being held from June 30 to 1 July at Tapovan, Dharamshala. Pathania informed that eminent delegates representing Zone-II, which includes Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir, will participate in the conference. Among the attendees will be the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Speakers and Deputy Speakers of State Legislative Assemblies, Leaders of the Opposition, Chief Whips, and MLAs from Member States. In addition, Speakers from the States of Karnataka, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Telangana have been invited as special guests. The Speaker said that the conference aims to promote meaningful dialogue on legislative procedures, democratic governance, and regional cooperation. He emphasized that the platform will facilitate the exchange of best practices and play a vital role in strengthening parliamentary institutions across the country. Earlier on Thursday, Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu directed to establish the dairy cooperative societies across the state adding that six new milk plants will be set up in the state. According to an official release, Chief Minister highlighted that currently 910 panchayats, dairy cooperative societies are functional and the department should work hard to increase the number of functional societies. To boost the dairy production these societies could play a crucial role in providing employment and self employment opportunities to the youth in the dairy sector, it added. Reviewing the work progress of Dagwar Milk processing plant in Kangra district, the CM directed to constitute a committee to monitor the same and get it expedited. The Chief Minister said 'this plant was expected to be completed by June, 2026 benefitting the farmers of Kangra, Una, Hamirpur and Chamba districts.' 'The present State Government was making earnest efforts to strengthen the rural economy. We want to enhance the income of the farmers associated with the dairy sector, therefore, the State Government has raised the MSP to Rs 51 per litre for cow milk and Rs 61 per litre for buffalo milk', Sukhu added. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Rajasthan Assembly Speaker to visit France and Germany to observe parliamentary best practices
Jaipur, Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani will embark on a seven-day visit to France and Germany to observe parliamentary systems and practices in both the countries. He is scheduled to depart from Jaipur on Tuesday morning for New Delhi and will fly to Paris later in the day. The visit is being organised under the aegis of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and will include interactions with lawmakers and officials from both France and Germany. During the visit, Devnani will observe the functioning of the French National Assembly , the Senate , the German Bundestag , and the Bundesrat . He will also share insights into legislative innovations introduced in the Rajasthan Assembly. Terming the tour significant in the context of parliamentary cooperation, Devnani said the visit aims to strengthen democratic engagement, encourage international collaboration, and provide a platform for sharing legislative best practices. The Speaker will also hold discussions on digital legislative processes and social inclusion with elected representatives and senior officials from the national parliaments, local legislative bodies, and cultural and academic institutions of both the countries. "This visit is a strong medium to present India's democratic traditions and the capabilities of state legislatures at a global level. It will certainly help enrich parliamentary functioning," Devnani stated. He is also scheduled to meet parliamentary leaders, senior lawmakers, Indian diaspora members and officials at Indian embassies in Paris and Berlin. The engagements also include interactions with officials from the Ramakrishna Vedantic Centre, science and technology experts and prominent members of the Indian community. Devnani will be accompanied by assembly principal secretary Bharat Bhushan Sharma on the tour. Apart from the official engagements, the Speaker will also visit historical, cultural and spiritual landmarks in both the countries to gain a deeper understanding of local traditions and heritage.
