Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR), Puan Maharani has urged all member states of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to support Palestine’s  independence. She delivered the statement during the inauguration of the Parliamentary Network of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Madrid, Spain, on Sunday, on the sidelines of the 143rd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Assembly.

“The parliaments of member states of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) should encourage their respective governments to support Palestine’s independence,” Maharani said in a written statement received by ANTARA here on Monday.

NAM countries have jointly sought Palestine’s independence since the Bandung Conference in 1955, but the goal has still not been realized, she remarked.

“The Bandung Conference principle has mandated NAM countries to support Palestine in their struggle for justice,” she added.

Considering the number of member countries, NAM has the potential to make a significant contribution to resolving global issues, Maharani said.

However, this potential must be interpreted by each member country so it becomes a positive influence and can make a real contribution, the house speaker added.

“This requires all of us to be solid and work together in unity,” she affirmed.

In her speech, the DPR Speaker invoked the spirit and values of NAM, such as equality, as enshrined in the Bandung Conference in 1955, more than 60 years ago, which are still relevant in the context of current global dynamics.

She mentioned Indonesia’s first President Soekarno, who initiated the Non-Aligned Movement.

“President Soekarno together with other founding fathers initiated this movement,” she noted.

The struggle to fight injustice and inequality requires joint efforts, she added.

According to Maharani, the parliament, as an extension of the people, can play a big role because it can enable cooperation to bring NAM closer to the community and bring international commitments to the local level.

For example, through parliamentary cooperation, parliaments can encourage their respective governments to promote equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, she pointed out.

“The spirit of the Bandung Conference is still relevant to overcome various global challenges, including in accelerating economic recovery and achieving the SDGs,” she added.

Source: Antara News