Jakarta: The Shura Council has concluded its participation in the 19th Parliamentary Union of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States (PUIC) Conference, in Indonesia's capital Jakarta. HE the Deputy Speaker Dr. Hamda bint Hassan Al Sulaiti chaired the legislature's delegation to the four-day event, marking the PUIC Silver Jubilee under the theme of good governance and strong institutions as pillars of resilience.
According to Qatar News Agency, Dr. Al Sulaiti addressed the plenary session, emphasizing the need for Islamic parliaments to advocate for just causes, particularly the Palestinian cause, and to defend Muslim peoples facing occupation and discrimination. Her Excellency highlighted Qatar's ongoing diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to stop aggression against the Palestinian people, in collaboration with Egypt and the United States, reaffirming Qatar's steadfast support for Palestinian rights.
Dr. Al Sulaiti also underscored Doha's role in hosting international conferences and establishing centers to promote peaceful coexistence and interfaith dialogue. She concluded her speech by emphasizing Qatar's impartial mediation efforts, which have garnered global confidence. She called for increased efforts across the Islamic world to build strong institutions, consolidate good governance, achieve social justice and sustainable development, empower youth and women, and encourage political participation as a means to address the roots of extremism and violence.
The conference culminated with the issuance of the Jakarta Declaration, which stressed the centrality of the Palestinian cause. The declaration called for an end to ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, the immediate release of Palestinian prisoners, rejection of displacement or annexation schemes, and support for the two-state solution in line with international legitimacy resolutions. It also advocated for sanctions on the Israeli occupation and the prosecution of individuals responsible for crimes against Palestinians in international courts, while highlighting the importance of humanitarian support through UN agencies, particularly UNRWA.
The declaration further emphasized the need for good governance and strong institutions in member states as a foundation for development and stability. It called for adopting principles of transparency, accountability, and the rule of law, activating the oversight role of parliaments, and expanding popular participation in decision-making to advance Islamic societies and fulfill the aspirations of their peoples.
Dr. Al Sulaiti's activities during the conference included participating in the consultative meeting of the Arab Group to discuss nominations for PUIC standing committees' vacancies and attending the 12th Conference of Muslim Women Parliamentarians. She stressed the role of female parliamentarians in enacting legislation to protect women affected by conflict, noting the significant impact of Israeli aggression on Gaza, resulting in numerous casualties among women and children.
On the sidelines of the conference, HE Al Sulaiti engaged in talks with HE Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Puan Maharani, HE PUIC Secretary-General Mouhamed Khouraichi Niass, HE Deputy Speaker of the Egyptian House of Representatives Ahmed Saad Eddin, and HE Deputy Speaker of the Milli Majlis of Azerbaijan Rafael Huseynov. Her Excellency also met with HE President of the Transitional Legislative Assembly of Burkina Faso Ousmane Bougouma and HE Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Senegal Ababacar Tambedou, exploring ways to enhance parliamentary cooperation and address topics of common interest.