Story by Ian Zvoma, News Editor
THE Pan-African Parliament has condemned Israel’s human rights violations on the people of Palestine in Gaza.
In line with its mandate of being the voice of the voiceless, the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has added its voice to growing calls for Israel to end its military onslaught in Gaza where more than 37 000 people have been killed since October last year.
Israel’s human rights violations in Gaza which have also left over 80 000 people injured and almost two million others displaced were a topical issue as the PAP convened for the third ordinary session of the sixth parliament in Midrand, South Africa, Monday.
“We shall also pronounce ourselves on the horrendous human rights violations perpetrated by Israel in Palestine with the tacit support of a silent international community. We cannot remain silent when over 38 000 Palestinians, the majority of them civilians, have been killed in the war.
“For this reason, we applaud the government of the Republic of South Africa under his excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa for taking the Israeli government to the International Court of Justice over the senseless and inhumane killings in Palestine,” said PAP president, Chief Fortune Charumbira.
The need to silence guns on the continent remains a topical issue as Africa pursues Agenda 2063 focusing on inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development.
“In the same vein, we shall not forget the people of Sudan and DRC. The African Union must show its mettle in dealing with conflicts in Africa. Need I remind them that parliamentary diplomacy can play an instrumental role in conflict prevention, and management,” said Chief Charumbira.
Beyond its mandate of ensuring the full participation of African people in the economic development and integration of the continent, the PAP has an oversight role to protect the interests of the ordinary citizen.
