The Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union,

Referring to the case of the above-mentioned parliamentarians of the National Assembly of Niger dissolved in May 2009,

Having before it the report of the delegation which, at its request, visited Niger on 30 November and 1 December 2009 (CL/186/12(b)-R.3),

Recalling that judicial proceedings were instituted in early September 2009 against the members of the dissolved Assembly on account of allowances and benefits allegedly received by them illegally; that a number of them were reportedly detained for some time before being released on bail, except for the first and second treasurers of the Assembly, who were kept in detention; the President of the 2004-2009 legislature, Mr. Mahamane Ousmane, who is also the serving President of the Parliamentary Assembly of ECOWAS and, as such, enjoys parliamentary immunity, was forced into exile to Abuja in Nigeria, fearing arrest should he return to Niger,

Considering the action taken on one of the concerns of the delegations of the Inter-Parliamentary Union on the occasion of its mission, namely the release of the first and second treasurers of the 2004-2009 legislature,

Deploring the latest developments in the political situation in Niger, marked by a military coup d'état resulting in suspension of the country's institutions,

1. Thanks the Committee for its mission report and endorses its recommendations;

2. Welcomes the release of the two former parliamentarians and of two National Assembly officials; and notes that Mr. Mahamane Ousmane has been able to travel to Niger without any problems;

3. Is hopeful that the question of the allowances and other benefits paid to the former parliamentarians will be resolved in the spirit of the Committee's recommendations;

4. Is greatly concerned at the absence of the democratic process in Niger and earnestly hopes that democracy with all the institutions needed to ensure its proper functioning will be promptly restored for the good of the people of Niger;

5. Decides to close the case and requests the Secretary General to convey this resolution to the authorities concerned.

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