[This is the version of this document from 16 May 2013.]
In accordance with Articles 2 and 4 of the Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community Relating to the Pan-African Parliament which state that "The Pan-African Parliamentarians shall represent all the peoples of Africa" and "reflect the diversity of political opinions in each National Parliament or other deliberative organ";Considering that most of the African populations suffer from poverty, hunger, food shortages, various elements, with no access to education, primary health care, drinking water, electricity and live below the poverty datum line;Conscious that PAP and its Parliamentarians must fight to reverse the unfortunate situation in which these populations are by participating effectively during the proceedings of Parliament;Cognisant of the decision by the Executive Council, EX.CL/DEC. 407 (XII) that Member States should bear the expenses for the participation of members of the Pan-African Parliament at the statutory meetings of the PAP;Noting that some PAP Members absent themselves from the Chamber despite the financial and administrative provisions made by their respective National Parliaments;Further Noting that absenteeism by Parliamentarians limits the capacity of PAP to vote on important decisions and seriously impedes the proper functioning of the institution;Concerned that such behaviour may cause damage to the image of the PAPThe Pan-African Parliament thereforeHereby resolves to:1)Call on National Parliaments to comply with the Executive Council, EX.CL/DEC. 407 (XII) effectively cover the expenses of their Pan African Parliament members in order for them to attend meetings of the Parliament;2)Request National Parliaments or any other national legislative organ to inform the PAP of the period they have provided for the attendance of their PAP Members explaining the reasons why the Members cannot attend fully. Absence of the Members should only be due to emergency cases and reasons for that should be communicated to the PAP;3)Further Requests to:3.1Implement the provisions of Rule 88 of the Rules of Procedure dealing with absences of Parliamentarians;3.2Ensure that the status of attendance is distributed before each Plenary session and Committee proceedings;3.3Transmit to National Assemblies, Senates or any other deliberating organ a detailed report on the attendance of each Parliamentarian at the end of Plenary sessions and Committee proceedings;3.4Base the designation of Parliamentarians to participate in missions on their attendance during Plenary sessions and Committee proceedings;3.5Designate Parliamentarians for Committee seminars, workshops and other missions on the basis of their effective presence in the proceedings of their respective Committees.Done in Midrand on the 16 May 2013
