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ASSEMBLY OF CARIBBEAN
COMMUNITY
PARLIAMENTARIANS (ACCP)
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BACKGROUND
The Prime Minister of Barbados (The Hon. Erskine Sandiford) in 1987 presented
the idea of establishing a Regional Parliament, representing the people of the
Region. This idea was presented at the Eighth Conference of the Heads of
Government of the Caribbean Community held in Saint Lucia.
He thought that in that way the broad masses of Caribbean people could make
their wishes known.
At the Ninth Meeting of the Conference, a paper was presented outlining this
proposal.
In March 1990, the representatives of the Committee, which was established to
further refine the proposal, and of the CARICOM Secretariat agreed on a Draft
Inter-Governmental Agreement. This Draft Agreement was prepared for signature
and ratification by Member States.
ENTRY INTO FORCE
On August 3, 1994, the Inter-Governmental Agreement entered into force and
consultations began with Barbados to host the Inaugural Session of the ACCP.
MEMBERSHIP
The Assembly consists of representatives of Member States of the Community
elected or appointed by their Parliaments. Each Member State is entitled to not
more than four (4) representatives at meetings of the Assembly and each
Associate Member not more than two (2) representatives.
OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSEMBLY
The objectives of the ACCP are to: involve the people of the Community
through their representatives in the process of consolidating and strengthening
the Community; provide opportunities for involvement in the issues of the
integration process by Members of Parliament in each Member State and Associate
Member of the Community; provide a forum for people of the Community to make
their views known through their representatives; provide a more frequent
mechanism to monitor policies of the Community; provide enhanced opportunities
for the co-ordination of foreign policies of Member States; promote greater
under-standing among Member States and Associate Members for the purpose of
realising and safeguarding the ideals and principles of democratic governments
in the Community and facilitating the economic and social advancements of their
peoples; encourage the adoption by the Governments of Member States of the
Community of a common policy on economic, social, cultural, scientific and legal
matters deliberated upon by the Assembly.
FUNCTIONS AND POWERS
The ACCP is a deliberative and consultative body for the discussion of
policies, programmes and other matters falling within the scope of the Treaty.
In carrying out its functions, the ACCP may make recommendations to the
Conference, the Council and the various institutions of the Community and the
Secretariat; discuss and make recommendations on any matter within the scope of
the objectives of the Community; discuss and make recommendations on any matter
referred to it by the Conference, the Council or any Institution or Associate
Institution; and adopt resolutions on any issue or matter arising under the
Treaty.
However, the ACCP is not allowed to discuss or adopt resolutions on matters
which fall exclusively within the domestic jurisdiction of a Member State or
Associate Member of the Community.
To date, thirteen Member States and one Associate Member of the Community are
Parties to the Inter-Governmental Agreement.
The Inaugural Meeting of the ACCP was held on May 27-29, 1996, in Barbados.
The Second Meeting of the ACCP was held on 14-15 October 1999, in Grenada. The
Third Meeting of the ACCP was held on 17-20 November 2000, in Belize.
13 June 2002.
Agreement establishing the Assembly of Caribbean Community Parliamentarians
(ACCP)
Report of the
Technical Sub Group on the Assembly of Caribbean Community Parliamentarians
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