ACDP MP Cheryllyn Dudley said today that while they ACDP did not support the Committee Recommendations on the Solidarity Conference - the Recommendations adopted were a vast improvement on those made by the conference itself. The adopted recommendations do not in fact add in any way to resolutions already adopted by Parliament - they do not make the situation better but they do not make it worse! The ACDP would like to thank all who worked with them to achieve this improved situation. Summary of todays meeting of the International Relations Committee by Cheryllyn Dudley MP ACDP 5 March 2014 The following recommendations on Palestine were adopted in the International Relations Parliamentary Committee at about midday today (Wed, 5 March 2014) and will be tabled in Parliament next week along with a Report on the Solidarity Conference in support of Palestine, Western Sahara and Cuba held at parliament on Thursday, 6 February 2014. The Report - which states that the ACDP was the only party to distance itself from the Cape Town Declaration - is a record of the events of the Conference and as such was deemed to be a true reflection of what took place. The ACDP did however propose amendments to the Recommendations proposed by the ANC, one of which was accepted, the others rejected. The proposal - with the one amendment describing the participation at the conference - was then opposed by the ACDP and the DA with the IFP abstaining. The proposal then went to a vote with 7 ANC members voting for the proposal, 3 opposition members voting against and the IFP abstaining. Note that section (a) of the adopted recommendations refers to previous resolutions passed in the committee in Nov 2013 when the DA supported the resolutions along with the ANC and all other except the ACDP who objected. It is important to note that it was these resolutions - supported by all parties except the ACDP – that provided the authority for the committee to hold a solidarity conference and effectively prevented members from challenging such an event. It is also worth noting that unlike the resolutions and suggestions made by the Solidarity Conference and expressed in the Cape Town Declaration – these recommendations are in line with previous resolutions and do not take the issue further or add anything new. PALESTINE (a) Recall and reaffirm House Resolutions …………… and ………….. (b) Reaffirm our commitment to the creation of a sovereign independent and viable Palestinian State, existing side by side and in peace with the State of Israel, within internally recognised borders based on those existing on 4 June 19677, with East Jerusalem as its Capital. (c) Commend the UN General assembly for proclaiming 2014 as the International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People and support the decision to request the committee on the Exercise of Inalienable Rights to organise solidarity activities in cooperation with their UN governments, Parliaments, intergovernmental organisation and civil Society organisations throughout the world. (d) Reiterate our support for a negotiated solution and express our hope and support for the current round of negotiations will deliver on the aspirations of the Palestine People. (e) Continue to mobilise all sectors of the South African population behind the Palestinian cause. (f) Support government’s decision to actively support Palestinian reconciliation and unity efforts. (g) Continue to intensify solidarity efforts with the view of strengthening the Palestinian struggle against the illegal and brutal occupation. The (rejected) ACDP proposal was: (a) Reaffirm our commitment to the creation of a sovereign independent and viable Palestinian State, existing side by side and in peace with the State of Israel, within internally recognised borders based on those existing on 4 June 19677; (b) Notes the UN General assembly proclaimed 2014 the International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People; (c) Reiterate our support for a negotiated solution and express our hope and support for the current round of negotiations to deliver on the aspirations of the Palestinian People; (d) Support government’s decision to actively support Palestinian reconciliation and unity efforts; (e) Notes recommendations made during the Solidarity Conference; (f) Notes that DIRCO is drafting a document on the role SA will play in the Reconstruction and Development of Palestine; (g) Commits to broad and inclusive Hearings on this document when submitted to Parliament. NB. The Department of International Relations (DIRCO) had informed the conference that a draft document on the role South Africa will play in the reconstruction of Palestine will be released for public comment in the near future. The Report on the Solidarity Conference in support of Palestine, Western Sahara and Cuba held at parliament on Thursday, 6 February 2014 and the Committee Recommendations will be tabled in Parliament next week. While a debate is unlikely to be scheduled the ACDP will call for a declaration of vote which will ensure that Parties – that want to say something - will get the opportunity to speak to the Report and Recommendations at that time. We will keep you informed regarding the Programme of Parliament.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 16:56:17 +0000
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