Latin American Parliament

Not to be confused with South American Parliament.

Building of Atos hall - Tiradentes

Latin American Library Victor Civita

Mão(Hand), sculpture by Niemeyer

Bridge

The Latin American Parliament (Parlatino), is a regional, permanent organization composed by the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. It is a consultative assembly similar to the early European Parliament. Currently the institution is being considered to become the legislative organ of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States.

Origins, mandate, principles and purpose

The Latin American Parliament (Parlatino) was created in 1964. Its current mandate is derived from the Treaty of Institutionalization which was ratified on 16 November 1987. Situated in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the Parlatino has 22 member parliaments, each of which sends to it 12 nominated plenipotentiaries. The plenipotentiaries must represent the views of their parent parliament, and take into consideration the principles of the Parliament which include the defence of democracy and the further intergeneration of Latin America. The purposes of the Parlatino are:

• To promote, human rights, and economic and social development;
• To maintain and foster relations with other geographic parliaments (such as the European Parliament, as well as international organisations;
• To promote self-determination and defence against imperialism and colonialism.

Institutions

The main institutions of the Parlatino are:

• The unicamerale Plenary Assembly which meets annually;
• The Board of Directors of the Plenary Assembly which is chaired by the President of the Assembly and oversees the work of the Parlatino between the Assembly's sessions.
• In 2009 there were thirteen permanent committees:
  • Agriculture, cattle-raising and fisheries;
  • Citizen safety;
  • Combat and prevention of narcotraffic,
  • Economic affairs, social debt and regional development;
  • Education, culture, science, technology and communication;
  • Energy and mines;
  • Environment and tourism;
  • Gender equity, childhood and youth;
  • Health;
  • Human rights, justice and prison policies;
  • Indigenous peoples and ethnic groups;
  • Labour, social security and legal affairs;
  • Political, municipal and integration;
  • Terrorism and organized crime;
  • Utilities and defence of users and consumers.

Headquarters building

Designed by Oscar Niemeyer, the Parlatino’s Permanent Head Office is a 43-meter diameter circular building with 5 floors, entirely glass-lined and located at the Avenida Auro Soares de Moura Andrade in São Paulo, Brazil.^{[citation needed]}

The building is surrounded by 200 palm trees forming the "Praça da Sombra" (Shadow Square).^{[citation needed]}

Elections

In Venezuelan parliamentary election, 2010 were elected 12 members of the Latin American Parliament.[1]

See also

• Latin American Integration Association (LAIA)
• Union of South American Nations
• Latin American and Caribbean Congress in Solidarity with Puerto Rico’s Independence
• Latin America Memorial
• List of Oscar Niemeyer works

References

• Evans, Paul & Silk, Paul (editors 2009), The Parliamentary Assembly: practice and procedure, Council of Europe, 2009, ISBN 9287164851, 9789287164858

External links

• Latin American Parliament official site in English, Portuguese and Spanish