Parliamentarians for Global Action
Encyclopedia
Parliamentarians for Global Action is a non-profit and non-partisan international organization of more than 1,300 free elected legislators from 130 democratic countries . It was established circa 1978 as Parliamentarians for World Order engaged in a range of action-oriented initiatives that promote democracy, peace, justice and development throughout the world. The vision of PGA is "to contribute to the creation of a Rules-Based International Order for a more equitable, safe and democratic world".
The main office of PGA is located in New York City
, close to the United Nations
, while the seat of the PGA Foundation is in The Hague
(The Netherlands), in proximity to the International Court of Justice
, the Hague Academy of International Law
and the International Criminal Court
.
It promoted the establishment of a permanent International Criminal Court (ICC) since 1989 and the ratification of the International Criminal Court treaty http://www.pgaction.org/prog_inte.asp?id=180, the Rome Statute, since 1998. PGA has been working on expanding membership of the ICC in more than 65 countries in all regions of the world.
PGA members, for example, have been instrumental to the recent accessions to the Rome Statute of the ICC by Japan (2007), Suriname and the Cook Islands (2008), as well as to the ratifications of Chile (2009), Bangladesh, the Seychelles and St. Lucia (2010).
The most important event of the PGA International Law and Human Rights Programme is the Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the ICC and Rule of Law, which met in Ottawa, Canada (2002); New York-UN Headquarters (2003); Wellington, New Zealand (2004); Tokyo, Japan (2006) and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (2008). The 6th session of the Consultative Assembly - the largest global parliamentary gathering entirely devoted to international criminal justice and the fight against impunity - was held in the Parliament of Uganda, on 27-28 May 2010, a few days ahead of the Review Conference of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
.
In the United States
, Sen. Tom Harkin
is the most prominent member.
In the European Union
, European Parliament
(EP), following the path of Ms. Maj-Britt Theorin (former MEP, Sweden), Mr. Harlem Desir (MEP, France), Ms. Glennys Kinnock (former MEP, UK), prof. Vittorio Prodi (MEP, Italy) and Ms. Lena Ek (MEP, Sweden), the current chairperson of the PGA EP group is Ms. Marietjie Schaake (MEP, The Netherlands).
The main office of PGA is located in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, close to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, while the seat of the PGA Foundation is in The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
(The Netherlands), in proximity to the International Court of Justice
International Court of Justice
The International Court of Justice is the primary judicial organ of the United Nations. It is based in the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands...
, the Hague Academy of International Law
Hague Academy of International Law
The Hague Academy of International Law is a center for high-level education in both public and private international law housed in the Peace Palace in The Hague, The Netherlands...
and the International Criminal Court
International Criminal Court
The International Criminal Court is a permanent tribunal to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression .It came into being on 1 July 2002—the date its founding treaty, the Rome Statute of the...
.
It promoted the establishment of a permanent International Criminal Court (ICC) since 1989 and the ratification of the International Criminal Court treaty http://www.pgaction.org/prog_inte.asp?id=180, the Rome Statute, since 1998. PGA has been working on expanding membership of the ICC in more than 65 countries in all regions of the world.
PGA members, for example, have been instrumental to the recent accessions to the Rome Statute of the ICC by Japan (2007), Suriname and the Cook Islands (2008), as well as to the ratifications of Chile (2009), Bangladesh, the Seychelles and St. Lucia (2010).
The most important event of the PGA International Law and Human Rights Programme is the Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the ICC and Rule of Law, which met in Ottawa, Canada (2002); New York-UN Headquarters (2003); Wellington, New Zealand (2004); Tokyo, Japan (2006) and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (2008). The 6th session of the Consultative Assembly - the largest global parliamentary gathering entirely devoted to international criminal justice and the fight against impunity - was held in the Parliament of Uganda, on 27-28 May 2010, a few days ahead of the Review Conference of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court
The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court is the treaty that established the International Criminal Court . It was adopted at a diplomatic conference in Rome on 17 July 1998 and it entered into force on 1 July 2002. As of 13 October 2011, 119 states are party to the statute...
.
In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Sen. Tom Harkin
Tom Harkin
Thomas Richard "Tom" Harkin is the junior United States Senator from Iowa and a member of the Democratic Party. He previously served in the United States House of Representatives ....
is the most prominent member.
In the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
(EP), following the path of Ms. Maj-Britt Theorin (former MEP, Sweden), Mr. Harlem Desir (MEP, France), Ms. Glennys Kinnock (former MEP, UK), prof. Vittorio Prodi (MEP, Italy) and Ms. Lena Ek (MEP, Sweden), the current chairperson of the PGA EP group is Ms. Marietjie Schaake (MEP, The Netherlands).
Membership criteria based on democracy
In order to qualify for full membership the Parliament must adhere to all of the following criteria:- the members must be freely elected by the general population or a reasonable segment of it,
- the election should be open to more than one partyPartyA party is a gathering of people who have been invited by a host for the purposes of socializing, conversation, or recreation. A party will typically feature food and beverages, and often music and dancing as well....
, or to those who have no party, - the Parliament must evince an actual ability to engage in free debate,
- the Parliament must have the right to turn back legislation proposed by the government.
Organs
- Annual Parliamentary Forum, which is open to all the membership
- International Council, which represents all the regions of the world, including all PGA National Groups
- 15-member Executive Committee, which is elected by the International Council
- Secretariat