R-003: Resolution of Censure against Mr. Yakim Beg

[Speaker Rejo]

R-003: Resolution of Censure against Mr. Yakim Beg

WHEREAS, Section IX, Rule 4 of the Standing Orders of Parliament provides that this Parliament may take disciplinary action against a Member of Parliament, including censure.

WHEREAS, Section IX, Rule 6 of the Standing Orders of Parliament provides that a resolution of censure must be approved by a majority vote of Parliament.

WHEREAS, Members of Parliament, as representatives of the people, should be held the highest standards of behavior and conduct, especially in their duties within Parliament.

WHEREAS, Mr. Yakim Beg engaged in a malicious and willful violation of the decorum of Parliament by personally attacking the Prime Minister referring to him as “the accursed infidel” and “the spawn of shaitan.”

WHEREAS, Mr. Yakim Beg in the same speech uttered racially charged remarks referring to fellow citizens of Alduria as “foreigners” and threatening “Adapt to Euran realities or perish.”

WHEREAS, by his words and conduct, Mr. Yakim Beg has brought disrepute upon himself and this Parliament.

WHEREAS, this Parliament has a duty to discipline its members for violations of decorum and the rules of order and to condemn racism in all of its forms.

Now therefore be it RESOLVED, that this Parliament:

1. CENSURES Mr. Yakim Beg for his gross misconduct on the floor of Parliament

2. CONDEMNS Yakim’s inappropriate personal attacks against the Prime Minister.

3. CONDEMNS categorically and unreservedly the racially charged remarks of Mr. Yakim Beg made on the floor of Parliament.

4. AFFIRMS that no citizen of Alduria is a “foreigner” whatever their ethnic background.

5. ASSERTS that Mr. Yakim Beg and all members of this Parliament must follow the rules of order and must treat all its Members with respect and dignity.

6. DIRECTS the Speaker of Parliament to call Mr. Yakim Beg into the well of Parliament and read this resolution of censure against him.

Parliament will now come to order to consider this resolution, presented by the Prime Minister on behalf of the Government. 

The Chair now recognizes The Prime Minister.

[Alfonso Velez]

Madam Speaker,

The Government does not take the tabling of this resolution lightly. It is unfortunate that such a resolution had to be made and take up valuable space on the Government docket--but nevertheless it is important that this Parliament take a stand against improper and, at times, racially charged remarks that were uttered in this chamber last week by the Leader of the Opposition. We can and we must hold all members of this Parliament to account and discipline those members who would violate the decorum of this chamber and use the august platform of this body to try to utter such racially-charged remarks.

Madam Speaker, we are a Republic made of up citizens from a variety of different cultural and national backgrounds. This Republic and this Government embraces this diversity. We are made stronger by citizens with a variety of different nationalities, cultures, and background--not weakened by them. While we should never forget our past and our cultures, this chamber must recognize this important truth: we are not Alexandrian, Euran, Wechu, Babkhi, Caputian, etc--we are all Aldurians. We are one nation united together, and in this unity we will stand together to build this great Republic into a nation that serves all of its citizens.

While the Leader of the Opposition's personal attacks against me were inappropriate, what should be far more concerning to this Parliament and is disturbing to his Government is his rhetoric of divisiveness that seeks to drive wedges between citizens rather than build bridges. This resolution has been tabled for one simple reason: this Parliament must make clear that such rhetoric has no place in this Parliament--and no place in this Republic. We are one nation, one people--and in this unity we must come together to censure the Leader of the Opposition for his racially charged comments that undermines this unity and common decency.

[Speaker Rejo]

The Chair now opens the floor for general debate. All members may offer debate or amendments at this time. Debate shall last for no less than 48 hours.

[Speaker Rejo]

All time for debate has now expired. The question is: Shall Parliament pass the pending resolution? Voting shall last for no less than 48 hours

DIVISION: CLEAR THE LOBBIES!

[Alfonso Velez]

AYE

[Alduria]

Nat-Lib Alliance: AYE

Euran Destiny Party: NAY

Communist Party: AYE

National Congress for Social Democracy: AYE

Movement for Alduria: AYE

[Speaker Rejo]

All time for voting has expired. On this vote, the result is as follows:

AYE: 140

L&D: 80
N-LA: 23
NCSD: 21
MFA: 11
CPA: 5

NAY: 54

EDP: 54

ABSTAIN: 57

NC: 57

Note: EDP has one less vote to allocate as Mr. Beg can not vote in a resolution of discipline against himself per the standing orders.

So the Ayes have it and the resolution is passed. Unlock!

[Speaker Rejo]

ORDER! By the command of Parliament, I summon Mr. Yakim Beg to the well of the house.

The Speaker waits for Mr. Beg to arrive in the well.

Mr. Beg, by the command of Parliament I hereby read the following resolution of Censure against you:

R-003: Resolution of Censure against Mr. Yakim Beg

WHEREAS, Section IX, Rule 4 of the Standing Orders of Parliament provides that this Parliament may take disciplinary action against a Member of Parliament, including censure.

WHEREAS, Section IX, Rule 6 of the Standing Orders of Parliament provides that a resolution of censure must be approved by a majority vote of Parliament.

WHEREAS, Members of Parliament, as representatives of the people, should be held the highest standards of behavior and conduct, especially in their duties within Parliament.

WHEREAS, Mr. Yakim Beg engaged in a malicious and willful violation of the decorum of Parliament by personally attacking the Prime Minister referring to him as “the accursed infidel” and “the spawn of shaitan.”

WHEREAS, Mr. Yakim Beg in the same speech uttered racially charged remarks referring to fellow citizens of Alduria as “foreigners” and threatening “Adapt to Euran realities or perish.”

WHEREAS, by his words and conduct, Mr. Yakim Beg has brought disrepute upon himself and this Parliament.

WHEREAS, this Parliament has a duty to discipline its members for violations of decorum and the rules of order and to condemn racism in all of its forms.

Now therefore be it RESOLVED, that this Parliament:

1. CENSURES Mr. Yakim Beg for his gross misconduct on the floor of Parliament

2. CONDEMNS Yakim’s inappropriate personal attacks against the Prime Minister.

3. CONDEMNS categorically and unreservedly the racially charged remarks of Mr. Yakim Beg made on the floor of Parliament.

4. AFFIRMS that no citizen of Alduria is a “foreigner” whatever their ethnic background.

5. ASSERTS that Mr. Yakim Beg and all members of this Parliament must follow the rules of order and must treat all its Members with respect and dignity.

6. DIRECTS the Speaker of Parliament to call Mr. Yakim Beg into the well of Parliament and read this resolution of censure against him.

Mr. Beg, I charge you to take due notice of this censure and govern yourself accordingly.