Political tolerance is possible without undermining norms, sovereignty, Tayebwa tells International Community

Speaking at the 146th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) happening in Manama, Bahrain, Tayebwa said political tolerance shouldn't interfere with values and norms of other sovereign states — saying it is possible to corporate and coexist without unwarranted interference.

“Tolerance doesn't mean that we forget our own values and culture,” Tayebwa said, citing an example of the host country which he described as a role model of promoting tolerance.

“Bahrain which is at the centre of promoting tolerance, is a country where you can't bring some of the things we are talking about here. Pornography sites are blocked here, homosexuality isn't allowed here. These are things which we have agreed upon that we can promote tolerance but not at the expense of our values and disrespect beliefs of certain communities and sovereignty of other states.”

“It is very important for Parliament to have that red line set in as far as handling issues of tolerance are concerned,” he added.

He said Uganda is open to working with non-intrusive states around the world.

Tayebwa committed on behalf of Uganda's Parliament where he is a Deputy Speaker, that the institution would make laws that promote tolerance, coexistence and mitigation of climate change.

Tayebwa also highlighted Uganda's role in regional peace keeping and said they have helped to pacify the region. 

Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) President, Duarte Pacheco justified Bahrain’s selection to host the 146th Assembly of the IPU despite raised questions posed about its fledgling democratic experience dating back to 2002, by saying ‘it was perfect in all aspects.’

“We are in a country that shows to the world that people from different cultures, religions, can live together in a peaceful society and in the perfect coexistence. What we find here is what we should have in other countries of our world - Peaceful coexistence,” Pacheco said at the opening of the IPU 146th Assembly on Saturday.

Parliamentarians from across the world are meeting in Bahrain for their Assembly and related meetings held under the theme: “Promoting peaceful coexistence and inclusive societies: Fighting intolerance.”

At the Bahrain Assembly, all IPU statutory bodies, including the Governing Council, Standing Committees, Thematic Committees on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians and on Middle East Questions, as well as the Forum of Women Parliamentarians and the Forum of Young MPs, have convened.

The General Debate will provide a platform for delegates to deliberate, exchange views and galvanise parliamentary action in fighting intolerance and promoting peaceful coexistence and inclusive societies.

“It's very relevant to share some figures with you. IPU is this multilateral organisation of the world created in 1889. So more than 130 years old, much before the First World War, the United Nations, the Second World War, and we joined Parliaments from across all over the world.”

Pacheco said the assembly was global, and not confined to a single region, which explains the fact that “more than 140 delegations that are in Bahrain to talk about the problems of our world.”

“That is because we understand that global problems may be solved only through global solutions.”

“Terrorism is a problem. But one country alone will not be strong enough to fight it. The same with poverty, and I can talk about many other problems of the world. That's why these conferences are so relevant. That's why 1,000 parl…”