By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is deeply saddened by the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Queen was the CPA Patron and Head of the Commonwealth up until her death on Thursday.
She supported the organisation since her accession to the throne in 1952 and later became the Patron of the CPA in 1989.
The Chairperson of the CPA Executive Committee, Ian Liddell-Grainger MP (United Kingdom) said, “On behalf of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the entire CPA membership, we are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. As CPA Patron, Her Majesty was a tireless supporter of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the work of Commonwealth Parliaments and Parliamentarians in promoting democracy. ”
The CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg added, “I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of the CPA Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and join the many tributes from Parliamentarians across the Commonwealth. As Head of the Commonwealth, Her Majesty recognised the importance of the organisation’s core values and aspirations expressed through the Commonwealth Charter, which she signed in 2013, including democracy, human rights and peace. The Queen was also a strong advocate for the young people of the Commonwealth.”
The CPA stated, that the Queen visited almost every Parliament in the Commonwealth during her long reign.
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association is a membership of 180 Commonwealth Parliaments at national, state, provincial and territorial level with around 17,000 parliamentarians and parliamentary staff across nine regions and 54 countries.
In 1953, Queen Elizabeth II attended a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Coronation luncheon in Westminster Hall attended by representatives of many Commonwealth Parliaments. As CPA Patron, The Queen opened the 46th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in 2000 in London, UK and kept in contact with Parliaments across the Commonwealth.
She had also congratulated the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association on its 110th anniversary in 2021 and as CPA Patron her letter of congratulations was published in the CPA book showcasing over 180 Parliament buildings around the Commonwealth and giving an insight into their varied histories.
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