The IPU is concerned by the prosecution of Mr. Jacques Ehouo and the detention of Mr. Alain Lobognon, both MPs in the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire, and the violation of their parliamentary immunity enshrined in Articles 91 and 92 of the Constitution of Côte d’Ivoire.
The IPU stresses that parliamentary immunity is essential if parliamentarians are to fulfil their mandate without reprisals. It is intended to protect the independence and integrity of the parliamentary institution in its entirety. The IPU, therefore, calls upon the judicial authorities of Côte d’Ivoire to respect without delay the decision of the Bureau of the National Assembly of 16 January, issued pursuant to Article 92 of the Constitution and the National Assembly’s Standing Orders, demanding that the prosecution of Mr. Ehouo be suspended and that Mr. Lobognon be released.
The IPU is committed to the promotion of inclusive and participatory democracy— of which parliamentarians are the main protagonists—the basis of stability and sustainable peace which Côte d’Ivoire is in the process of restoring. The IPU strongly hopes that the efforts invested by the Côte d’Ivoire authorities can be consolidated in full respect of the existing rules.
The IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians works on the protection and defence of parliamentarians whose rights have been threatened or actually violated. It is currently examining more than 420 cases in the world. The Committee’s next session will take place at the IPU Headquarters in Geneva from 29 January to 8 February 2019.
