CPA Asia Regional Seminar on Role of Parliamentarians in the Promotion and Protection of Human Right

The Commonwealth Secretariat, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Sri Lanka Branch) will jointly organise a seminar on the ‘Role of Parliamentarians in the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights’ from 1-3 February  for the CPA Asia, India, and South East Asia Regions to be jointly convened by the CPA Secretariat and Human Rights Unit of Commonwealth Secretariat. 

Delegates from Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are due to attend this seminar representing CPA India, Asia and South East Asia Regions. Delegation of Sri Lanka will comprise of Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training Mahinda Samarasinghe, MP, Minister of Foreign Employment Thalatha Atukorale, MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, MP Vijitha Herath, MP Imran Maharoof, and MP  Shanthi Sriskandarasa. 

Prime Minister and Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs Ranil Wickremesinghe, will be the Chief Guest at Opening Ceremony to be held on 1F ebruary  at the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel. MP and Speaker  Karu Jayasuriya  will grace this occasion delivering the welcome speech at the inauguration.

 The 1st session of the Seminar will commence following the Opening Ceremony and continue for 3 days from 1-3 February. Sessions will be conducted under the theme “The Role of Parliamentarians in the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights” on the following topics:  Introduction, Objectives and Expectations; Parliamentarians and their Role in the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights; The International Human Rights Protection System; Regional Challenges: freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association; Regional Challenges: Group dialogue; National Human Rights Institutions; Parliamentarians and the Universal Periodic Review Process - (a) Regional Challenges (cont’d): freedom of thought, conscience and religion; violent extremism; (b) Regional Challenges (cont’d): child, early and forced marriage; Regional Challenges: Group dialogue; Development of recommendations; Formulation of Recommendations and Follow-up Actions (cont’d); Finalisation of Regional Declaration and Parliamentarians’ Commitments and Finalisation of Regional Declaration and Parliamentarians’ Commitments (cont’d).

 MP and  Minister of Justice and Minister of Buddhasasana Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe will be a Panelist on the topic ‘Parliamentarians and their Role in the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights’ while Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training Mahinda Samarasinghe will chair a session on the topic Parliamentarians and the Universal Periodic Review Process.