Panel Discussion on Parliments as Key Actors …

II. Parliaments as key actors to the promotion of human rights, democracy and the rule of law Discussions will focus on the capacity and willingness of parliaments to ensure that legislation complies with the human rights obligations of States. Discussions will identify the different ways in which parliaments hold policymakers to account. Discussions will consider the challenges parliaments may face in fulfilling their functions and therefore in promoting human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Participants will also explore the discrimination and structural inequalities, affecting the capacity of women and groups that are marginalised or discriminated against to participate in parliamentary work and stand for parliamentary office. Participants will reflect on the need for members of parliament to enjoy their human rights as a prerequisite for promoting human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Presentations by: • Mr. Murray Hunt, Director, Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law, British Institute of International and Comparative Law • Ms. Kinley Om, former Member, National Assembly of Bhutan • Ms. Jamila Debbech Ksiksi, Member, Assembly of the Representatives of the People,Tunisia • Mr. Nassirou Bako Arifari, Member, National Assembly of Benin, and member of the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians • Ms. Sandrine Mörch, Member, National Assembly of France (Députée de la 9ème circonscription de la Haute-Garonne) Moderator: Mr. Martin Chungong, Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Discussion Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law