IPU Assembly adopts emergency resolution condemning terrorist acts

Parliamentarians from across the world strongly condemned all terrorist acts and steady escalation in such violence, said an emergency resolution adopted here on Tuesday at the 132nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union ( IPU).

Participants at the Assembly united in their call for a series of measures to counter the growing tide of terrorism sweeping the world.

Acknowledging that terrorism was not limited to any religion, nationality or ethnic group, the members of parliaments (MPs) worldwide expressed concern at the ongoing terrorism threat posed to international peace and security.

MPs highlighted the need for attention to be paid to civilians, in particular women and girls, in countries where organizations such as Boko Haram and the self-proclaimed Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), known as Daesh, were active.

MPs also condemned the deliberate destruction and systematic looting of cultural property and asked for those responsible to be brought to justice.

Parliaments were urged to enact laws to implement relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, and to pressure governments on taking punitive action on those financing ISIL and Boko Haram, reported a press release by IPU Press Office on Tuesday.

The IPU resolution also called for inter-state cooperation between intelligence and security forces to be developed to facilitate exchange of information while emergency measures similarly needed to be adopted by the United Nations entities to support countries fighting against Boko Haram.

The IPU resolution encouraged parliaments to adopt a common strategy on citizens joining terrorist groups, on countering propaganda and the recruitment of combatants through the internet and social media networks.

The ongoing 132nd IPU Assembly and related meetings are being held in Vietnam's capital Hanoi from Saturday to Wednesday. Endi