Last Updated: Wednesday, 31 May 2023, 15:44 GMT

Ukraine simplifies procedure for stripping lawmakers of immunity

Publisher Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Publication Date 16 January 2014
Cite as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Ukraine simplifies procedure for stripping lawmakers of immunity, 16 January 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/53314414d.html [accessed 5 June 2023]
DisclaimerThis is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

January 16, 2014

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service

Lawmakers voted for the amendment by a show of hands, not electronically, as the opposition has been blocking the parliament's podium since January 14.Lawmakers voted for the amendment by a show of hands, not electronically, as the opposition has been blocking the parliament's podium since January 14.

KYIV – Ukraine's parliament has approved simplified procedures for detaining or arresting lawmakers.

According to amendments adopted on January 16 to parliamentary regulations, parliament can decide if a lawmaker can be stripped of immunity.

Previously, a parliamentary committee had to preapprove rescinding a deputy's immunity.

Lawmakers voted for the amendment by a show of hands, not electronically, as the opposition has been blocking the parliament's podium since January 14.

The leader of the ruling Party of Regions faction in parliament, Oleksandr Yefremov, told reporters that now it will be "scary" for some lawmakers "to be heroes without parliamentary mandates."

The leader of the opposition Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) faction, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, told journalists that the parliamentary session was illegitimate as its goal was to make it possible to persecute opposition lawmakers.

With reporting by UNIAN

Link to original story on RFE/RL website

Copyright notice: Copyright (c) 2007-2009. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036

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