Parliaments urged to strengthen oversight on govts

Parliaments have been challenged to strengthen oversight and to hold governments accountable.

This is contained in a new report titled "Global Parliamentary Report 2017" authored by the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) where it has been has found that parliaments are committed to overseeing their governments but in practice face significant challenges in doing so.

Over 350 Members of Parliament from 120 countries - including parliamentarians from parties in government and opposition, men and women, and all ages - contributed to the findings, according to a statement issued Monday.

Among the key findings was that parliamentary oversight is a primary safeguard against abuse of power and corruption, and it helps to ensure that government policies and actions deliver on commitments made to the people they serve.

The launched coincided with IPU's 137 Assembly in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation October 14-18, 2017.

Capacity and resource issues are the most cited challenges to parliamentary oversight, while the political environment, limited government engagement or even obstruction and competing interests also too often limit parliamentarians' ability to carry out oversight effectively, according to the report.

The Report proposes areas for strengthening parliamentary oversight which include establishing it as a top priority for parliament; strengthening the mandate and capacity for oversight, co-producing oversight with partners, making good use of parliament's oversight powers, building public support for oversight and seizing opportunities available to Members of Parliament to shape the oversight environment.

It cites challenges restricting parliaments' ability to hold government to account including capacity and resource issues, as well as the political environment, limited government engagement and competing interests. "Each country practices oversight in accordance with its political, cultural and historical context."

Speaking at the launch event, IPU Secretary General, Martin Chungong said, "The essence of oversight is to ensure accountability for the actions that are taken by those in power, those who govern. This Report offers concrete ways to improve oversight. The recommendations are there, it is now up to all of us to strengthen oversight in each of our contexts."

Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator said, "Government oversight is a core function of parliament, which is critical to ensure that people receive essential services, and to build accountability as envisioned by Sustainable Development Goal 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of national parliaments. It works to safeguard peace and drives positive democratic change through political dialogue and concrete action.