Context
I have submitted the following petition to the European Parliament recently which is currently in the review process. I have no idea if it will be accepted but irrespective of that or the amount of support it receives, its an opportunity for me to help focus the minds – the way I see it – on 3 levels;
- The threats I see to Democracy repeated pretty much across the west and ways we counter this threat irrespective of the subject manner. There may well be additional elements but these are merely starting points.
- We need a new approach in challenging governments that seem to lose focus between election cycles; so rather the old tried-tested-failed social media noise that focus analysis/paralysis and complaining about policies/postures we need to come up with solutions and demand change in whatever legal levers we have to pressure governments for change; for now petition mechanisms as well as strikes would be some options.
- This proposition needs to also be coupled with root/branch political reforms as well as a change in our role as citizens so we’re more engaged in the political process when we feel the government is no longer representing us on a specific policy (or policies) and goes rogue. At the end of this post is a link to another post that addresses this specific issue.
(PS) I’ve added a few additional elements not in the submitted petition and will highlight those by italicising/underlining them in the text below
Title of the Petition
Political Reform to Resurrect Integrity/Sovereignty to Parliament within the EU and EU Member States.
Petition Details
This petition seeks to ensure true independence of parliament from unaccountable special interest groups as well as foreign influence/meddling either directly via foreign state actors or indirectly by politicians of suspect allegiances.
Here are the suggested elements of the proposal;
- All foreign entities and/or NGO’s involved in practicing influence on the political establishment for whatever purpose and under any pretence should be dissolved and their activity banned entirely/immediately. The political establishment are sovereign structures designed to be accountable solely to the people and work for the people without unaccountable individuals, organisations or other states practicing any form of influence on policy.
- There needs to be a cap on internal political donations/gifts details of which should be made public with a public body tasked with scrutinising these to ensure they are above board.
- There needs to be a constant review of code of ethics in parliament both in terms of political debates so that these are conducting fairly and ensuring all parties have an opportunity to rebuff accusations whether they’re members of parliament or not (or recognised public/international figures and UN personnel or rapporteurs). In addition there should be clear restrictions to using unproven theories or assessments of intent or clear cut lies in parliament and where they do occur and where investigated by parliament/proven there needs to swift accountability as they do have an effect on distorting national narratives, undermine integrity of parliament and ultimately affect national security.
- All members of parliament and high ranking party officials should be subject a proper security vetting process to ensure they are not compromised either in terms of national allegiance or in terms of personal/mental health issues. This should be an ongoing assessment considering the risks involved to national security. Where issues are uncovered there should be a clear mechanism for suspension (temporary to permanent) and a clear path for reassignment of duties. This process should also apply to dual nationals in so far as practicing political rights where it involves actions that affects country of their secondary nationality.
- There should a clear set of penalties of breaching element 2/3 and a swift, legal/fair process for prosecution with firm penalties applied if proven.
- Free speech is a fundamental right to all citizens and any effort to restrict it on basis of pure “intent” rather than actual evidence of harm/potential harm should be dropped.
- Governments and all political institutions should commit to fighting racism in all its forms/incarnations and using nationally defined and/or supported standards without prejudice and without restricting free speech.
- As a member state of the UN all states should a) commit to abide by International Law/its rulings as well as that of the ICC as fundamental in protecting global order. Where there are exceptions these need to be passed via a parliamentary vote/clear majority.
Related Post
Democracy’s Major Upgrade – Moving to Democracy 2.0 To Eliminate Political Hijacking