FINAL COMMUNIQUE

THE 9th SESSION OF THE PUIC CONFERENCE
"Islamic Parliaments, Solidarity, Progress, Justice"
TEHRAN – ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
18-19 RABI THANI 1435H
18 -19 FEBRUARY, 2014

CONF/9-2014/FC.1/FINAL

We, Speakers, Heads and Members of Delegations of the PUIC Member Parliaments participating in the proceedings of the 9th Session of the PUIC Conference held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran on 18-19 Rabi Thani 1435 H corresponding to 18- 19 February 2014 -under the motto: "Islamic Parliaments, Solidarity, Progress, Justice", have deliberated on developments and challenges facing the Muslim World as included in the Agenda of the Session and have resolved as follows:

FIRST: PALESTINIAN CAUSE:

1.    Stress that the Palestinian cause, considered as the core of conflict in the Middle East, must remain the key issue on which the States of Member Parliaments must take an Islamic unified stand in international forums, till the legitimate and the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people are restored, including the return of refugees and liberation from occupation, and the establishment of the Palestinian State on Palestinian soil with the city of Al Quds as its capital.

2.    Emphasize that the city Al-Qods is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territories, as stated in UN Security Council resolutions 242 of 1967 and 338 of 1973, on which applies the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, as provided in several Security Council Resolutions. Strongly condemn the occupation authorities for their repeated violations of the sanctities in the city of Al-Qod through the building of the separation wall, the settlements, and continuation of excavation works underneath the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque which leads to undermining its support columns and threatens its collapse. Also condemn Israel's illegal measure and practices, which are contrary to all international resolutions and laws, carried out by the authorities of occupation in the city of Al-Qods, aimed at Judaizing the Holy city and obliterating its Arab and Islamic landmarks;

3.    Strongly reject the plan of Israel to declare the occupied City of Al Quds as the Capital of the Zionist entity and the Jewish People, considering this plan a direct aggression against the Palestinian People and their viable and inalienable rights, and declare the City of Al Quds the spiritual capital of the Arabs and Muslims and the eternal capital of the State of Palestine. Also categorically reject all the Israeli plans concerning Greater Al-Qods, and any other plans to solve the issue of AL-Qods on the basis of placing it under international mandate.

4.    Draw attention to Israel's exploitation of the current Arab situation and by the use of its capabilities and tools to fan the flames of sedition, whether sectarian, ethnic or security, so as to keep the Arab states and peoples preoccupied and not observe its serious violations of the rights of the Palestinian people, especially those relating to city of Al-Qods.

5.    Strongly condemn Israel's refusal to allow a technical UNESCO mission to investigate into the impinging on the Holy places in the old part city of Al-Qods. Condemn Israel's attempts aimed at usurping and Judaizing Palestinian heritage and falsifying the history of Palestine, including the decision to include the Holy Ibrahimi Mosque in the city of Al-Khalil, as well as Bilal Bin Rabah Mosque in Beth Laham to the list of its heritage. In this regard call on the UNESCO to implement the resolutions of its Executive Council adopted by its 186th session on the Palestinian historical, heritage sites, so as to prevent Israel from destroying the Palestinian cultural heritage. Warn that the Israeli attempts to legalize its null measures in the occupied territories will lead to the explosion of the situation in the area as well as religious conflict for which Israel bears full responsibility.  Call on the international community to curb Israel, the occupying force, and compel it to hold its grave aggressions and disregard of security and peace in the region.

6.    Strongly condemn the settlement expansionist policies of the Zionist entity, and confirm the necessity of stopping all settlement works, legislative and administrative measures and procedures that aim at changing the legal status of the City of Al Quds and its demographic structure, and request the UN Security Council to act quickly to remove the Israeli settlements in accordance with the Resolution No. (465), as well as affirm the right of return for the Palestinian refugees to their territories from which they have been displaced. Salute the steadfast Palestinians in the Village of "Bab Al Shams", Ein Hijla and Al- Nawatir who have resisted the occupation in their own way, and denounce the evacuation by force and dismantling tents by the Israeli forces.

7.    Condemn the continuous crimes being committed by the Israeli occupation authorities in Palestine in general and the Gaza Strip in particular, which claimed thousands of innocent martyrs and wounded people in flagrant violation of Palestinian human rights. Demand prosecuting the Israeli officials responsible for all the war crimes to justice, they have committed in the Gaza Strip and other occupied Palestinian territories. Condemn the continued isolation and siege of the Palestinian people, as well as the Israeli acts of repression including assassination, detention, demolishing of houses, bulldozing lands, building settlements and erecting the separating wall, and Call for wide scale moves to put an end to the siege and request speedy action to implement reconstruction of the Strip and remove the consequences of the barbarian Israeli aggression from its landmarks.

8.    Express our total solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners and detainees including the members of the Legislative Council, and call for their immediate release, and hold the Israeli occupation authorities fully responsible for the lives of the prisoners who are on hunger strike for months, in protest against torture, banishment, solitary confinement and administrative arrest, according to the 4th Geneva Convention.

9.    Emphasize the necessity of expediting the realization of national unity. Request all Palestinian factions to end schism through applying what has been agreed, whether in the Cairo Agreement of May 2011, or Doha Declaration in February 2012, which shall be crystalized in speeding up the formation of the government of the national accord and conducting elections.

10.    Request those in charge of funds established for the sake of Al-Qods to energize the operation of those funds in order to support the steadfastness of Al-Qods citizens, and keep them in their city. Appeal to the Arab and Islamic nations, peoples and governments, to maintain more solidarity in order to face Israeli arrogance and the Israeli authorities' mocking on the historical, cultural and religious rights of the Palestinian people. Call for implementing projects which enhance the steadfastness of the Holy city, its people and institutions. Also call for supporting all the initiatives and commendable work carried out by various organizations, including especially "Al-Qods Committee of the OIC, and its financial and field arm" Beit Mal Al-Qods Agency.

SECOND: OCCUPIED ARAB TERRITORIES IN SYRIA AND LEBANON

11.    Laud the steadfastness of the Syrian and Lebanese citizens and hail their adherence to their lands, their identity and resistance to the Zionist occupation and strongly condemn the Israeli decisions pertaining to the imposition of its laws and administration over the occupied Syrian Golan and its non-compliance with the international resolutions, particularly the UN Security Council Resolution No. 497 of 1981, and affirm that the Israeli decisions in this regard are null and void, also condemn the Israeli threats against Lebanon and the Israeli provocative military exercises on the Lebanese borders, and the repeated air and sea violations of the Lebanese airspace, and demand the termination of the Israeli occupation to Shabaa  Farms and Kafer Chouba  Hills and the Lebanese part of Algajar village, considered as contradicting the UN Resolution No.1701.

12.    Strongly condemn Israel, the occupation force, for persisting in altering the legal set-up of the occupied Syrian Golan, as well as its demographic constitution and institutional structure, and for its policies and practices, especially confiscating lands and water resources, building and expanding settlements, and moving inhabitants to them, utilizing natural resources and establishing projects thereon, as well as imposing economic boycott of the agricultural products of the Arab citizens and forbidding the export of these products.

13.    Stress the responsibility of all states for refraining from the use of force, extremism or threatening to use it against the territorial integrity of another state or its political independence. Encourage the Member Parliaments to pay more attention to combat extremism and terrorism with means, including addressing the root causes and enhancing moderation, tolerance and dialogue.

14.    Call, while taking into consideration the urgent humanitarian needs in Syria which have reached horrifying levels and necessitates urgent attention by all states, for sending urgent humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people. Express appreciation to all states which have contributed in this regard, especially the State of Kuwait which have hosted two donor Conferences, stress the necessity of meeting the needs of the Syrian refugees as well as extend total support to the states neighboring Syria in order to alleviate the critical humanitarian situation of the Syrian refugees and facilitate their return to their homes.

THIRD: PROMOTION OF UNITY AND SOLIDARITY AMONG MUSLIM STATES

15.    Affirm the need to eliminate causes of prejudice hatred, provocation, and incitement, as well as all takfir claims and fatwas. Call for constructive dialogue between the followers of the various Islamic schools of thought. Praise the initiative of H.E President Hasan Rohani, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, titled "world against violence and extremism" which was presented during the 68 Session of the UN General Assembly and which lead to the adoption of resolution number A/Res/68/12707issued by the UN General Assembly under the title "A world against violence and extremism".

16.    Affirm also, the will to continue performing our role as representatives of parliaments in strengthening mutual understanding, tolerance and respect between the followers of the Islamic schools of thought in a manner that contribute to fostering brotherly relationships between Muslims as they are sharing the foundations of faith and performing the obligations of Islam,

17.    Stress also the necessity for all Muslims to maintain vigilance and attention and awareness to understand that any conflict among the followers of Islamic schools of thought will harm all the peoples of the Islamic Ummah and endanger its solidarity, brotherhood and unity.

18.    Condemn sectarian violence and call for dialogue of the spectrum of Islamic schools of thought inn any part of the Islamic world, and strongly condemn all crimes which are committed on the basis of sectarian identity or affiliation.

19.    Call upon Muslim scholars, religious institutions and mass media in the Islamic world, owing to their role in the field of awareness and enlighten to reinforce the spirit of tolerance, understanding, and mutual respect among the followers of different Islamic schools of thought.

20.    Follow with attention the ongoing developments in Libya, and support the steps taken to realize stability and transferring to democracy and building state institutions and law.

FOURTH: FIGHT AGAINST INTOLERANCE, ISLAMOPHOBIA AND XENOPHOBIA

21.    Express our utmost concern about the rise in the cases of intolerance, discrimination and acts of violence against Islam and Muslims in various regions of the world, as well as negative stereotyping of Islam and Muslims by linking them, in the international media, with violence, terrorism and violations of human rights.

22.    Strongly condemn acts of intolerance and discrimination which are practiced against Muslim communities and minorities in non-OIC member countries, through various means, including enactment of repressive laws as well as the arbitrary application of restrictive laws and policies, as well as religious stereotypical and other measures taken under various pretexts, relating to security and illegal migration.

23.    Condemn in strongest terms all acts offensive to the principals of Islam and its Holy symbols and characters, including sacrilegious and insulting acts against the Holy Quran, and the publication and republication of material offensive to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in written, video or electronic press as well as other means.

24.    Stress that all acts related to Islamophobia are considered contemporary forms of discrimination, violation of human dignity, and a breach of recognized international criteria and measures in the field of human rights.

FIFTH: COMBATING TERRORISM

25.    Condemn terrorist acts in all forms and manifestations, especially State terrorism, and confirm that they contradict the teachings of tolerant Islam which advocate tolerance and mercy, rejection of violence and prohibition of all forms of aggression, particularly murder, irrespective of color, religion, school of thought )madhab) and ethnicity.

26.    Affirm the inevitability of distinguishing between terrorism in all its forms, manifestations and the rights of States and peoples to resistance and armed struggle against foreign occupier and colonizer to liberate their homelands and restore legitimate rights stipulated by the UN charter and all international laws and conventions regarded as an inherent right of people under occupation. Recommend that the OIC forms a Legal Committee in charge of reviewing the concept of terrorism and defining the controls which distinguish between a terrorist act and others. The views of the Committee shall become a reference in this field.

27.    Condemn strongly all terrorist acts which have taken place in all parts of the world, including Islamic states.

28.    Strongly condemn the terrorist acts which targeted researchers, scholars and university professors and vital facilities in a number of Islamic countries;

29.    Also strongly condemn the activities of terrorist groups in the Sahel and desert regions in Africa, and express our deep concern about the fact that drug, weapons and human trafficking and kidnapping hostages aimed at obtaining ransoms, have become a principle source of financing their illegal activities.

30.    Demand the stopping of the infiltration of armed people to Iraq, and condemn the terrorist actions they perpetrate which resulted in huge causalities of Iraqis, dead and wounded, as well as causing substantial damage to the infrastructure in Iraq and call upon the Iraqi political forces to find political solution and national reconciliation through compressive national dialogue.

31.    Condemn terrorists explosions which lead to the loss of innocent lives, specially the double terrorist explosions which took place on 19th February, 2014 in Beirut near the Iranian cultural mission and consider that the best response to this organized terrorism is Islamic solidarity and Islamic unity and rejections of violence and extremism which obliterate the image of Islam for which the Prophet of Mercy and morals Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) called.

32.    Express our appreciation to the role played by Pakistan in combating terrorism, including suicidal attacks, for more than ten years, which caused the loss of lives of more than 40,000 civilians, military people and the police. Stress the responsibility of all states to refrain from using terrorism against the territorial safety of Pakistan or its political independence, and addressing the root causes of terrorism, propagating the spirit of moderation, tolerance and dialogue. Emphasize the necessity of eliminating partiality, hatred, propagation and incitement. Condemn the foreign elements that support sectarian violence and suicidal attacks. Call for intensifying coordination and cooperation between Islamic States and Pakistan in order to combat terrorism.

SIXTH: THE SUDAN

33.    Call for supporting the recent positive developments to establish peace and stability in the Sudan, and support in particular the historic initiative of the Sudanese President to realize national unity, democratic transformation and involving all political forces as well as civil society and drawing up the permanent constitution

SEVENTH: ACESS TO AND USE OF MODERN TECHNOLOGIES FOR PEACEFUL PURPOSES AND MAKING THE MIDDLE EAST A ZONE FREE FROM ALL WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION PARTICULARLY NUCLEAR WEAPONS.

34.    Affirm the right of all countries to the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, including their policies on the nuclear fuel cycle according to the NPT; Express concerns towards the restrictions imposed by some States on international cooperation in the field of research and transfer of equipment and materiel and technology for peaceful uses of nuclear energy. These restrictions contradict Article-4 of the NPT. Denounce the escalation of pressures and threats to prevent this legal right and stress the need for resolving differences by using peaceful diplomatic means.

35.    Express our strong concern about the Israeli nuclear capabilities and the threat they pose, and emphasize the necessity of forcing Israel to open its nuclear facilities and programs for control and inspection according to the rules of the International Atomic Energy Agency as well as the necessity for Israel to accede to the NPT and make the Middle East Zone free of weapons of mass destruction as these constitute a basis for security and stability in the region and allows avoidance of exercising double standards in international interaction. Call for further cooperation and coordination among all of the PUIC Member Parliaments in International Conferences which are held to review this subject.

EIGHTH: SOMALIA

36.    Commend the efforts exerted to complete the transitional phase, and support the resultant success of the political process, establishment of state institutions and completing the draft constitution and conducting popular referendum thereon by 2016.  Call upon all Somali and international parties to support the Somali Government and work in solidarity with it for the restoration of the security, stability and sovereignty of the state over its territories.

37.    Appeal to the states sponsoring the London, Istanbul and Tokyo Conferences on Somalia held during the years 2012 and 2013, to follow up the resolutions adopted by those conferences and apply their conclusions on the ground, and to cooperate with the parties concerned in this framework in order to refer their fruits in favor of the Somali people. Appeal also to all parties to exert efforts with the international organization to realize comprehensive development and rebuild the infrastructure of the Republic of Somalia in accordance with resolutions of the Brussels’s Conference and the European Union which is called the New Deal.

38.    Stress the necessity of sending a Parliamentary delegation from the Union to Somalia to be informed about the situation and evaluate the needs of the Somali Parliament as well as follow-up implement of the PUIC resolutions on Somalia.

NINETH: SITUATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF MALI AND NEIGHBORING STATES

39.    Affirm our principled position in support of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of the Republic of Mali. Call for deploying necessary resources to face the humanitarian tragedy, and relieve the suffering of the displaced and the refugees. Also call for dispatching a joint mission composed of the OIC and the office for coordinating human affairs in order to assess the humanitarian crisis in Mali and neighboring states as well as States receiving refugees. Strongly condemn all aggressive acts carried out by terrorist groups against the Republic of Mali.

40.    Commend the role of the United Nations in restoring stability in Mali through the restoration of state power and sovereignty over most of its territories. Appreciate the efforts of President Blaise Compaori, President of the Republic of Burkina Faso, which resulted in the signing of the Ouagadougou Agreements, which lead in 11th of August 2013 to the election of President Ibrahim Boubakar Kita, as President of the Republic of Mali whom we congratulate on obtaining the trust of the people.

41.    Stress the necessity of paying a visit to the Malian Parliament by a delegation of speakers of PUIC Member Parliaments, to emphasize support to the Republic of Mali. Request the PUIC Presidency, with the help of the General Secretariat, to finalize this visit.

TENTH: THE SITUATION IN CYPRUS

42.    Call on the State of Member Parliaments to consolidate effective solidarity with the Turkish Cypriot State, to maintain strong ties with it so as to break the unjust isolation imposed on it and to support and reinforce their relations with the Turkish Cypriot State in all fields. Affirm anew the activation of the previous resolutions taken by the OIC concerning the Cyprus issue as well as the resolutions of the PUIC.

43.    Welcome the desire expressed by the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey to find a political viable settlement consistent with the UN Secretary General’s plan.

44.    Call on Greece to respect the rights of the Turkish Islamic Minority in Western Thrace and Dodecanese and demand it to take the necessary measures ensuring the prevention of the destruction of mosques, places of worship and Muslim graves in that region.

ELEVENTH: PROTECTION OF MUSLIM COMMUNITIES AND MINORITIES:

45.    Confirm the commitment of the PUIC towards Muslim Groups and Minorities which are living in non OIC Member States, and call for action to solve their problems in such a way as to ensure their fundamental rights, such as the exercise of democratic right, religious freedom and ritual practices, as well as the protection of Holy and historic places.

46.    Renew our support for the peace agreement signed between the Philippine government and the Moro National Liberation Front and call for immediate and complete execution of the terms of this agreement.  Urge Member States as well as charity institutions in the Islamic world to increase the volume of their humanitarian assistance for Muslims in South Philippine(s) in order to accelerate economic and social development.

47.    Condemn the ongoing brutal actions perpetrated in a systematic manner against the Community of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar which constitute serious and blatant violation of international law and International Human Rights conventions. Particularly denounce involvement of security forces and Buddhist militias in these acts of killings and forced displacement of citizens and burning of their houses and places of worship. Call on the government of Myanmar to abide by its responsibilities according to International Law and Human Rights Convention(s) and take all measures to immediately halt acts of dispersion and discriminatory practices against Rohingya Muslims as well as the continuous attempts to distort the Islamic culture and identity. Call upon the governments of PUIC Member Parliaments to continue their efforts together with those of the international community and the UN in order to ensure the return of all Myanmar’s refugees who have been deported from the region of Rakhin (Arakan).

48.    Affirm our support to the peace agreement signed between the government of the Philippines and the Moro national liberation front on 2 September 1996 in Manila. Call for the speedy and total implementation of the provisions of this agreement. Welcome the framework agreement concluded between the governments the Philippines and the Moro Islamic liberation front on 15 October 2012. Express the hope that this agreement will be implemented in good faith.

49.    Condemn strongly the barbaric acts committed, and continue to be committed by extremist armed groups by ideological and ethnic motivations against the Muslim minority in the Central African Republic. Call on all OIC Member States to intensify their humanitarian support and extend all forms of backing in order to put an end to the operation of methodical killing and dispersion which has victimized the Muslim minority, as well as join the international efforts aimed at establishing security, stability and preservation of the National Unity and territorial integrity of the Central African Republic.

TWELFTH: JAMMU AND KASHMIR                           

50.    Call for finding a peaceful solution to the Jammu and Kashmir issue in line with the UN relevant resolutions in a way that has been agreed upon in Simla. Support the efforts exerted by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for the sake of peace by different diplomatic means, including bilateral talks with India, taking into account the right of people of Jammu and Kashmir to self-determination. 

51.    Express our concern about the continuous violation of the cease-fire by the Indian forces of occupation along the Line of Control since early 2013; appreciate that Pakistan is following a policy of self-restrain, responsibility and dialogue in favor of pervasive regional peace.

THIRTEENTH: AGGRESSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA AGAINST THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN

52.    Demand the strict implementation of the Resolutions number 822, 853, 874 and 884 adopted by the UN Security Council, as well as the unconditional, complete and immediate withdrawal of Armenian forces from all occupied Azerbaijan territories. Strongly urge Armenia to respect the sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan and its territorial integrity.

53.    Condemn the brutal aggression against Mosques and Islamic Holy places that has resulted in considerable losses of Islamic antiquities, and cultural heritage in Azerbaijani territories. Also condemn the horrifying genocide that took place in Azerbaijani city of Khujali in 1992, when, in few hours on the night of 25 – 26 February 1992, 613 civilians were killed including 106 women and 83 children.

54.    Reaffirm our complete solidarity and support to the efforts of the government and people of the Republic of Azerbaijan for defending their country, and urge for extending humanitarian relief in favor of the Azerbaijan refugees and displaced who face dire living conditions in order to initially prepare for their return to their homes from which they been displaced.

FOURTEENTH: MEDIA AFFAIRS

55.    Welcome the cooperation between the PUIC and the OIC Media Forum (OFM) in all spheres of common interest and urge PUIC member countries to establish an International Islamic television network in order to confront media's and balanced reporting, in addition to spreading the teaching of Islam which call for tolerance, peace and good behavior.

56.    Mandate the General Secretariat to study the subject of creating a Center for network of Parliamentary research, while stress the importance of establishing a strong and effective partnership to exchange expertise in the field of Parliamentary research in order to cope with successive developments in the world of information, and submit a report thereon to the next meeting of the Executive Committee.

FIFTEENTH: BROTHERHOOD CHARTER

57.    Call for consolidating relations among Muslims, and refraining from believing in rumors and wrong information to classify Islamic groups and schools of thought.

58.    Affirm the importance of the role of scholars in the various Islamic schools of thought in the proximity of hearts, and preventing Muslims from pushing towards conflict of opinions and directing sons of their nation towards respecting each other and address the others in a logical method that conforms with high Islamic morals.

59.    Reject extremism and allowing extremists to expose the unity of Islamic Ummah to danger. Call for refraining from excessiveness which causes further instability and fanning the fire of sedition among Muslims.

60.    Demand preventing takfir current from taking root and request Islamic schools of thought not to reject or undermine each other. Call on all of them to rally as a single Islamic nation which believes in the principles of tawhid, Prophet-hood and the Day of Judgment.

SIXTEENTH – ECONOMIC AFFAIRS AND ENVIRONMENT

61.    Highly appreciate the efforts of the Islamic Development Bank for the enhancement and promotion of the OIC countries inter-trade;

62.    Strongly reject the principle of imposing sanctions, of whatever form – unilateral or multilateral – on countries; also express absolute solidarity with Islamic countries that are subject to such sanctions and reiterate that economic and financial measures should not be used as a means for political coercion as this results in depriving the targeted people from exercising their natural right to achieve development;

63.    Confirm the International Community's rejection of a country's conferring supremacy to its national legislations over the rules of the international law aimed at prejudicing the sovereignty and interests of states and their peoples;

64.    Affirm our support of the conclusions of the World Anti-crisis Conference held in Astana, Kazakhstan on 23 and 24 of May 2013, and invite all OIC Member States to participate in the second session of this conference scheduled for May 2014 in Astana to set a world plan to counter crises and natural catastrophes under the auspices of the United Nations; 

65.    Express our solidarity with the African peoples affected by natural catastrophes and desertification and support all efforts exerted to confront such catastrophes and phenomena;

66.    Appeal to our governments to secure financial and technical support required for facing the phenomenon of desertification and climate change in the Islamic countries, particularly the African and Asian ones, and call for considering the possibility of involving non-governmental civil society organizations operating in the Islamic world in providing all forms of humanitarian aids, particularly confronting desertification and climate change to the afflicted countries;

67.    Call on OIC Member States to exert further efforts to give effect to trade preferential regime among OIC countries;

68.    Call, as well, on OIC Member States to consider establishing Islamic Common Market to facilitate and augment trade among Islamic countries;

69.    Request the Islamic Development Bank to provide further support for the creation of Islamic Banking System model for the OIC State Members;

70.    Invite the OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission to conduct a thorough study on the negative impacts of economic and financial sanctions on the enjoyment, in full, of the targeted OIC members of their human rights;                                       

71.    Express our concern about the negative impacts of the problem of foreign debts on the Islamic states which constitute a burden on their economies and imperil their national sovereignty, and call on the OIC and its economic and financial institutions to prepare an exhausted study of this problem and its impacts on the economic progress of the Islamic states, we call also for approaching the donor states and  international financial institutions for the sake of dropping these debts.

SEVENTEENTH: CULTURAL AND LEGAL AFFAIRS AND DIALOGUE OF CIVIZILATIONS AND RELIGIONS

72.    Strongly condemn the rescreening of offensive films and caricature insulting to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and religious symbols. Demand the immediate stop of such provocations and demand preservation of Islamic sanctuaries everywhere in the world.

73.    Affirm that the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque is a place of worship for Muslims, and Jews have no right to enter its precincts and perform their rituals therein. Warn the authorities of Zionist occupation against continuation of excavation works underneath Al-Aqsa Mosque or any aggressions that imperil the First Qibla and Third of the Holy Haram. Request Islamic governments to adopt a strong urgent and practical position, using all available options in accordance with the international law in order to protect Al Aqsa Mosque and confront the conspiracies thereon which have entered its final stages to demolish it and establish the so called temple in its place. 

74.    Call for preparing a project through consultation with the OIC Cultural bodies as well as scholars and elites from various parts of the world to contribute towards realizing an effective and constructive dialogue between the Islamic and Western Civilizations and projecting realistic and positive image of the Islamic civilization. Call also on the Member Parliaments to enact the necessary legislations in this respect; we also invite the Islamic Development Bank and the Islamic Solidarity Fund to support this project.

75.    Stress the importance of establishing national Islamic television channels broadcasting in foreign languages, in order to project the real image of Islam, and urges ISESCO to establish specialized channels in this respect;

76.    Call on Non-Muslim states in which Muslims live to ensure and provide civil and religious rights to these Muslims, including their right to just humane treatments and have access to halal food and drink in all places and on all occasions. 

77.    Express the need for adopting a common policy of first priority aimed at preventing the distortion of the image of Islam on the pretext of freedom of expression, particularly through the mass media and the internet.

78.    Urge the states to prosecute effectively those responsible for stereotyping, prejudice, misleading the people through media and internet, particularly with regard to members of Ethnic and religious minorities without bias and warn any person playing with the same.

79.    Call for the rejection of inciting sectarianism and doctrinal affiliations to bring about the disintegration of nations and instigate dissention, especially doctrinal. Affirm that the killing of innocent people through suicidal bombings is terrorist and condemnable actions of which Islam is innocent, of its perpetrators and instigators.

80.    Invite the States of PUIC Member Parliaments to establish and maintain cooperation and promote dialogue, understanding and cooperation with Non-Muslim states in religions, cultures and civilizations fields

81.    Express hopes that the Member Parliaments of the PUIC to use traditional media and social networking effectively to promote the values and goals of the Alliance of Civilizations.

82.    Call on the Arabic speaking Islamic States, particularly those which have financial potentials to support the youth in non-Arabic speaking Islamic countries, and to provide them with scholarships and appropriate educational programs that help the youth of poor Islamic Countries to learn the Arabic language as a means of understanding Islam and to finance these programs and scholarships through the legitimate resources, including Zakat funds.

83.    Recommend continued support for the organization and holding of training courses for teachers of Arabic language and Islamic culture in Asia, Africa, Central Asia, the Caucasus and the Balkans

84.    Urge State of Member Parliaments to pay attention to the school curricula of the younger generations in the Islamic world, especially in primary and secondary schools, particularly to teaching the Palestinian and al-Quds causes

85.    Express deep concern over the safety and security of the Muslim minority in India

86.    Urge the international community, especially the Member States to exert utmost efforts to protect the basic rights of the Kashmiri people, including their right to self-determination according to the relevant UN Resolutions as well as to safeguard their religious and cultural rights and their Islamic heritage

87.    Strongly condemn the barbaric acts committed by the Armenian aggressors in the Republic of Azerbaijan with the aim of total annihilation of the Islamic heritage in the occupied Azerbaijani territories.

88.    Assert that Azerbaijan is entitled to adequate compensation for the damages it has sustained and affirms the Republic of Armenia’s responsibility to pay up full compensation for such damages in accordance with the international law.

89.    Call on governments of Islamic States to submit a draft international law, to be adopted by the United Nations, which criminalizes  in impinging or and vilifying sanctities, and religious symbols and parameters

90.    Commend parliaments that have established focal points on dialogue between civilizations, and request the PUIC General Secretariat to circulate the expertise of the focal points in national parliaments that it receives from Member Parliaments.

EIGHTEEN: HUMAN RIGHTS, WOMEN AND FAMILY

91.    Stress the need, to amend national laws, regulations and legislation to achieve the cultural democracy and protect human rights and freedom of opinion and expression in accordance with the precepts of the Islamic Shari'a.

92.    Strongly reject and condemn politicization, selectivity and discrimination in dealing with issues related to human rights at the regional and international levels.

93.    Reject attempts to exploit the issue of human rights to throw doubts on to the  principles and fundamentals of the Islamic shari'a and to intervention in the internal affairs of Islamic states.

94.    Call for the protection of human rights and respect for its universal values, while recognizing the right of every human being to preserve the particularities of their cultural identity.

95.    Welcome the Islamic Cooperation Organization's resolution to name August 5th of every year a day of humanitarian rights in Islam and human dignity.

96.    Call for the enactment of national laws that condemn the takfir fatwa and the utilization of Islam as a pretext to justify the killing of others, condemn attempts to exercise violence and terrorism in the name of Islam and to instigate sectarianism among Moslems, and also call for intensifying cooperation and coordination between Islamic states to combat this phenomenon.

97.    Urge Member Parliaments to promote the inclusion of women in the heart of policies, considering this a principal strategy for achieving justice, equity and complementarity between the two sexes, and empowering women in all aspects of development, including economic, cultural, social, political and civil.

98.    Request PUIC Member Parliaments to increase the level of women's representation in decision-making organs through the application of appropriate and effective measures, including commercial privilege, as a first step to empower women in decision-making positions.

99.    Request also PUIC Member Parliaments to enact the necessary legislations to ensure that all women have access to economic resources, on an equal footing, including access to land, productive resources, credit and financing, and promote technological and medical capabilities with a view to improving their skills through training programs. Commend the states which have made achievements in this field.

100.    Demand supporting Palestinian women, especially those residing in Al Quds, that are suffering all forms of tyranny and subjugation on the part of settlers whose objective is to uproot man from his land and to abuse their sacred shrines.

101.    Call upon the states of the Islamic world to establish mechanisms to prevent the exploitation and abuse of the dignity of women.

102.    Call upon Member Parliaments and their governments to ensure the participation of youth in their political agendas and strengthening efforts aimed at the appropriate representation and participation of youth in decision-making centers.

103.    Also call on Member Parliaments and their governments to confront the problem of youth unemployment by establishing capacity building executive programs and measures and providing employment projects for youth.

104.    Commend the venerable Member Parliament governments that took important steps regarding the care and protection of youth.

105.    Request Member Parliaments to work with their governments to provide sound and free basic education for all children.

106.    Call on Member Parliaments to urge their governments to work, with the assistance of the international community and civil society organizations, to improve the conditions of children, especially those living under hardship conditions and residing in areas under occupation or subject to violent conflict and natural disasters, and in famine regions in East Africa and the African Sahel, as well as those suffering the impact of siege and economic sanctions imposed on their countries, in addition to refugee and displaced children, by covering their material and moral support needs, giving attention to their education and assisting in their rehabilitation.

107.    Urge Member Parliaments to develop a declaration on the Moslem child and present it to the UN committees to use as a reference in their dealings with Moslem children.

108.    Demand that the Israeli Authorities be pursued in court for their criminal acts towards children such as imprisoning them and torturing them physically and psychologically.

109.    Request Member Parliaments to work – in coordination with their governments – to establish, implement and support multidisciplinary policies and plans aimed at preventing contagious and non-contagious diseases and controlling them and taking steps to implement such policies and plans.

110.    Urge PUIC Member Parliaments to extend assistance in the field of health to states in need, especially in the Occupied Territories and the Palestinian refugee camps, in the form of clinics, health centers and hospitals, and to send medical missions, equipment and medicine to these states.

111.    Call upon doctors and their professional organizations (federations, unions and associations) in States of PUIC Member Parliaments to hold joint meetings to activate cooperation and exchange expertise and serve the causes of the Islamic Ummah in the field of health.

NINETEENTH: THE ISLAMIC PARLIAMENTARY DECLARATION

112.    The Conference adopted the report of the Committee of Experts on the formulation of the Islamic Parliamentary Declaration which was approved by the Executive Committee, and mandated the PUIC Secretary General to send the file to the OIC for submission to the next Summit Conference, while taking into consideration the contents of the Third meeting of Committee of Experts on the formulation of the Islamic Parliamentary Declaration which stipulates as follows:

•    Stressing the importance of establishing an Islamic Parliament considered as a major step towards enhancing Parliamentary cooperation between OIC Member States, and that the Committee of Experts shall submit this report to the Executive Committee together with all the proposals made by the Member Parliaments.

•    The Executive Committee shall examine the report of the Committee of Experts and submit it to the next conference of the PUIC.

•    In case the PUIC Conference approved the establishment of the Islamic Parliament, it submits the matter to the next OIC Summit for decision.

•    In Case the OIC Summit approves the establishment of an Islamic Parliament, it is proposed to constitute a joint PUIC – OIC Committee to consider all necessary technical issues and arrangements for the establishment of this Parliament, and drawing up of a charter or protocol to be ratified by the OIC States.

•    After the decision of approval by the OIC all proposals and views submitted by the Member Parliaments as well as the study prepared by the Secretary General on the establishment of the Islamic Parliament shall be taken into consideration.

•    To support the PUIC and stress the necessity of its continuity and strengthening it as well as enhancing its role.

TEWENTIETH: COOPERATION WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

113.    Request the Member Parliaments to urge their respective governments to direct their permanent missions at the UN to support the application and decision of the PUIC General Secretariat to accede to the membership of the international organization as an observer.

114.    Call on the PUIC Member Parliaments to make use of their membership in other international and regional Parliamentary organizations to enhance the PUIC objectives in establishing sustainable dialogue between Islamic and Western Parliaments.

TWENTY FIRST: THANKS AND APPRECIATION

115.    The Conference expresses sincere thanks and appreciation to the leaders, people and officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and dedicates special thanks and gratitude to the Islamic Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Iran for their generosity and noble action which has been reflected in the success of the proceedings of the 9th session of the PUIC Conference. Highly appreciates the all the efforts exerted in order to achieve the cherished objectives and express sincere wishes for the Islamic Republic of Iran, leadership, government, people and Parliament, for prosperity and advancement.