FNC Speaker: Injustice, selective, double standards feed and fuel terrorism and extremism

HANOI, 30th March, 2015 (WAM) -- Absence of just and fair solutions to regional and international disputes and adoption of selective approach and double standards in implementing international law and international legitimacy remain key factors for feeding and fuelling terrorism and extremism, Speaker of the UAE Federal National Council (FNC) told the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Hanoi, Viet Nam, yesterday, adding that people in the Middle East and other regions lost confidence in the UN and international community for their failure to end the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and for their improper and unfair handling of human rights issues. Addressing MPs from more than 167 countries, Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr said that the IPU gathering was being convened amidst unprecedented challenges facing the world family as international peace and security were enduring a real and imminent threat as a result of the spread of trans-border terrorism, failure of sustainable development and environmental deterioration. He stressed that pressing international concerns require persistent hard work so as to build a new world order of collective security to address present and future challenges. ''The danger of terrorism has escalated to an extent where it has become a real threat to the whole international community. Terrorism has neither religion nor race...It is not confined to countries and regions or certain culture or faith. It has octopus like sources and cells running amok across various continents of the world and posing existential threat to the wider humanity and its culture and achievements besides stalling development and progress,'' he added. ''Through this platform, we renew our call for the international community to adopt a crystal-clear strategy and build greater cooperation and coordination to confront and tackle terrorist challenges,'' he said. He underscored that governments, parliaments and civil societies have no option but to build regional and international partnerships so as to cooperate and coordinate efforts to counter terrorism in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. ''The UAE upholds the values of human fraternity that ease the suffering of the people and extend humanitarian and development aid out of its well-established principles based on openness, moderation, tolerance and peace in running its international relations and adopting peaceful means to settle disputes and differences. Consequently, the UAE always calls on Iran to enter into dialogue and commit to peaceful methods to end its occupation of the UAE's three islands of Greater and Lesser Tunbs, and Abu Musa,'' Al Murr emphasised. The 132nd IPU Assembly in Hanoi, Viet Nam, will look at concrete ways in which parliaments can implement the new sustainable development goals (SDGs) when these are adopted later this year. The Assembly, that kicked off on 28th March and will last till 1st April, will adopt a declaration on this at the end of the gathering. During a charged five-day gathering, IPU members will also make commitments on parliamentary action to shape a new system of water governance; on international law on national sovereignty and the non-intervention in the internal affairs of State and human rights; and on addressing the threat of cyber warfare to global peace and security. With terrorism very much on the global agenda, two proposals have been made so far for an emergency debate and resolution. – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395278616370.html