Government should support UN parliament

The Government should support international moves to establish a parliamentary assembly at the United Nations, the Green Party said today.

Last week a group of 40 non-governmental organizations and more than 150 public figures wrote to German chancellor Angela Merkel asking her to support the recommendation of the European Parliament for the United Nations to establish a parliamentary assembly.

"Pressure is building for UN reform. Establishing a parliamentary assembly is a key element in making the UN more democratic and responsive to citizens' concerns," said Green Party Associate Foreign Affairs spokesperson Dr Kennedy Graham.

"The European Parliament recently passed recommendations calling on EU foreign ministers to promote the establishment of a United Nations parliamentary assembly. It is time for our Parliament to do the same.

"The international stage should not be the exclusive domain of diplomats and officials. Supporting the implementation of direct representation at a global level is consistent with New Zealand's democratic values.

"There are already a range of multi-state representative parliaments in action around the world. The European Parliament, the Pan-African Parliament and the Mercosur Parliament are just three examples of where democratic government occurs at an international level.

"We call on the Government to support the international movement to establish a parliamentary assembly at the UN."

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