DUBAI: The Malaysian delegation to the Global Sumud Parliamentary Congress in Brussels, Belgium, is seeking to rally greater international political pressure on Israel amid the escalating Palestinian crisis and demands for immediate global action.
The delegation brings together cross-party members of Parliament, legal practitioners, humanitarian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and media professionals in an integrated approach spanning diplomacy, advocacy and legal action, underscoring that the Palestinian issue remains a priority on the international agenda.
Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC) director-general Datuk Sani Araby said Malaysia’s participation in the congress comes at a critical time, following recent developments concerning the mandatory death penalty law for thousands of Palestinian prisoners, which have sparked outrage and raised serious concerns over human rights violations.
"We have no choice but to engage across all fields of action to defend directly, whether through advocacy at sea or on land. At the same time, we must actively engage with the international community on existing platforms, including the Brussels declaration representing the Asian bloc, particularly Malaysia, which remains steadfast in its support for Palestine,” he told Bernama while en route to Brussels on Tuesday (April 21).
He said the Malaysian delegation stood out for its comprehensive representation, bringing together the people’s movement and the government, including MPs carrying the mandate of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the patron of Sumud Nusantara, to the conference, which is expected to gather more than 300 politicians from around the world.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Parliamentary Caucus on Palestine chairman Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the congress aims to channel mounting pressure over Israel’s alleged atrocities into structured action that could influence the collective stance of major powers, particularly the European bloc, which is gradually shifting towards stronger support for Palestine.
"Humanitarian pressure alone, without a political advocacy dimension, is not enough. We need to intensify pressure through parliamentary platforms, international resolutions and the collective voice of nations,” he said.
The Global Sumud Parliamentary Congress will take place tomorrow alongside the Global Sumud Flotilla’s voyage to Gaza, creating a critical window for meaningful political intervention, while underscoring the urgent need for strong political leadership at the international level.
The congress provides a platform for global political leaders to reinforce humanitarian protection in real time, accelerate multilateral recognition of a maritime corridor to Gaza, and advance legislative efforts in their respective countries, including measures to halt arms transfers to Israel.
The inaugural Global Sumud Congress also focuses on a declaration described as both an urgent humanitarian necessity and a historic political stance, with its main thrust calling for the establishment of a United Nations-approved humanitarian maritime corridor to Gaza, in accordance with international law.
Malaysia’s participation in the congress is seen as a strategic move to join a global bloc of parliamentarians, including representatives from Europe and the United Nations, in drafting resolutions and the Brussels Declaration, which serves as an important international reference.
The national delegation also included members of the Parliamentary Caucus on Palestine, namely Balik Pulau MP Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik, Sik MP Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman and Kuala Krai MP Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman.
It also comprises humanitarian consultants from the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (MAPIM), Cinta Gaza Malaysia, Cinta Salam Malaysia and Gagasan MyAqsa Defender, alongside legal advisors and experts from the Centre for Human Rights Research and Advocacy (CENTHRA), as well as media practitioners from TV AlHijrah and Bernama. - Bernama
