Access Bank Managing Director, Mr.
- Home
- About Parliament
- Members
- Committees
- Publications
IPU stresses critical role of parliamentary immunity after Turkish vote
Geneva, 24 May 2016
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has stressed the critical importance of the principle of parliamentary immunity after a vote in the Turkish
Parliament amending the constitution effectively stripped a quarter of the country’s MPs of their immunity. IPU is concerned that such wholesale lifting of immunity
will weaken the parliament.
IPU believes immunity from prosecution while in office is crucial to protect MPs from politically-motivated allegations. It stresses that the lifting of
immunity should always be agreed by a parliamentary vote on a case-by-case basis, and should require valid and credible allegations supported by
serious evidence. IPU has also made clear that MPs’ fundamental rights must be upheld at all times, and that they should be able to speak freely without fear of
reprisals.
IPU’s Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians is investigating many alleged breaches of the rights of MPs around the world – including some in
Turkey - among them opposition politicians who have faced prosecution after engaging in peaceful and legal political activities.
The Turkish decision triggers a blanket removal of immunity from 138 MPs with prior formal allegations against them - the overwhelming majority of them
from the two main opposition parties. The country’s constitution previously stated that immunity could be lifted only on a case-by-case basis by a
parliamentary vote.
“Of course we recognize that MPs are not above the law, and provision must be made for dealing with serious allegations, but it is essential that immunity
is lifted only when the circumstances justify it and only by appropriate parliamentary procedure on a case-by-case basis. By upholding the principle
of parliamentary immunity, IPU is seeking to preserve the integrity of the parliamentary institution wherever it is in jeopardy,” said IPU Secretary
General Martin Chungong. “At a time of increased polarization, it is all the more important that the Parliament verifies carefully that peaceful and
legal political activities by Turkish MPs are not presented as evidence of criminal and terrorist acts.”
What's New
Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, the Right Honourable Ms.
Speaker Kumba hands over the Presidency to Speaker Mutti
Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Right Honourable Ms Nelly Butete Kashumba Mutti, SC, MP, FAPRA has assumed the Presidency of the Forum of Parliaments of Member States
The Senate of the Czech Republic, His Excellency Milos Vystrcil said his government has extended a donation of 200 thousand United States dollars to Zambia for drought Mitigation, demonstrating its
The Committee Department held a workshop for all staff in the Department themed 'Unbundling and Infromation Sharing on the National Assembly Zambia Strategic Plan 2022 to 2026 ;