Czech lower house passes bill on reduced immunity of lawmakers

The amendment, submitted by deputies from all parties in parliament, is to take effect as from 2013. It is yet to be approved by the Senate, the upper house of parliament.

Under the new legislation, the immunity of deputies, senators and constitutional judges would only last during the execution of the mandate of a deputy or senator or the tenure of a constitutional judge.

The legislation was passed by 156 of 161 deputies present. No one voted against it, but five MPs abstained from the vote.

The bill´s authors say the continued immunity from criminal prosecution also after the lawmakers' mandate expires is not substantiated.

Deputies dealt with the restriction of lawmakers´ immunity in 2010 last time when they rejected the government bill that was also to cancel immunity for minor offences.

The current amendment cancels only lifelong immunity but it preserves the provision that lawmakers cannot be prosecuted without being released for prosecution by the respective house of parliament.

If the Chamber of Deputies or Senate does not agree with its member´s prosecution, he/she can be prosecuted after the mandate expires.

The same rules apply to constitutional judges. The Senate decides on their release for prosecution.

In the case of immunity for misdemeanours, lawmakers can choose the way of proceeding their misdemeanour - either in usual administrative proceedings or in the mandate and immunity committee.

Author: ČTK
www.ctk.cz