Government and opposition partners in nation-building- Commonwealth

Collective responsibility of parliamentarians to achieve greater progress for the people, transcending party political interests, says top Commonwealth official.

The government and opposition parties may be political adversaries, but they share a common national responsibility and obligation of nation-building and advancing the prospects of real development, Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba said.

In her address to 50 delegates at the launch of a three-day Commonwealth regional workshop in Malé, Maldives, on 13 June 2011, the Deputy Secretary-General stressed that the human, political, social and economic aspects of development for the people of respective countries are vital foundations for national progess.

 “Our focus is very much on promoting a constructive relationship between government and opposition parties, as well as on how to create the conditions and environment in which this relationship can flourish,” said Masire-Mwamba.

“Government and opposition have to see themselves as partners. Government must acknowledge that there needs to be democratic space for the opposition to function and to enable other viewpoints to exist; thus the role of opposition is to hold governments accountable and ensure they deliver. The opposition also needs to be constructive, using the democratic space provided responsibly to raise legitimate dissent where this is required, without becoming needlessly disruptive,” she added.

In cases where the relationship between the government and opposition turns violent, the cost, she said, can result in the loss of lives and livelihoods when conflict tears a country apart.
“It can certainly block economic development, impinge on the rule of law and respect for human rights, and create a pervasive climate of fear and uncertainty.”

The workshop, the first of its kind launched in the Asia region of the Commonwealth, bears the theme, Government and Opposition: Roles, Rights and Responsibilities. Co-organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the People’s Majlis of Maldives, the event is aimed at the strengthening of the democratic culture in member countries, so that differences can be resolved not through conflict but through peaceful democratic, political activity and respecting the rule of law.

“We also seek to explore the ways in which other stakeholders – from civil society, oversight institutions and the media – can further contribute to the development of the democratic process by ensuring transparency and accountability in public life.”

The Speaker of the Maldives People’s Majlis (Parliament) Abdulla Shahid, who also spoke at the opening of the workshop, called on the government and opposition to rise above their differences to offer hope to citizens.

“We need to live up to their expectations and aspirations. Our role is to carve out a better life for our people through the laws we design. Our duty is to hold the government accountable by upholding the Constitution. In short, our role as the legislature is to enforce democracy, not fail it,” said Shahid.

He stated that democracy is in a state of infancy in Maldives and acknowledged that it is the responsibility of Members of Parliament to consolidate young democratic institutions to serve the interests of the people by paving the way for social justice and equity.

Shahid said Maldives faces challenges in consolidating democracy and expressed appreciation for the Commonwealth’s support in promoting democracy, good governance and institution building.

In emphasizing the important role parliaments play at the core of democracy, the CPA representative, the Member of Parliament of India’s Lok Sabha, Vijay Bahuguna, warned that if the government and opposition are not properly fulfilling their roles in building strong and effective parliaments, democracy overall will suffer. He underscored the need for the government and opposition parties to cultivate a relationship based on mutual confidence and trust.

“That confidence will enable them to agree on which aspects of the national interest transcended party divides and can therefore be legitimately withdrawn from inter-party strife and squabbles,” said Bahuguna.

“It is important to remember that today’s government may be tomorrow’s opposition. Political parties represented in parliament need to see themselves as partners in the development of the democratic process,” he concluded.