SP submits draft for immunity law

Top Channel was able to secure the draft of these propositions, which express a different stance than the draft law submitted by the Democrats at the Parliament’s Secretariat.

The Socialists make way for a free investigation of every crime committed by the MPs, without taking any kind of authorization for surveillances, according tot he Penal Procedure in cases of suspicions of politicians.

The Socialists propose in their draft that the MPs can be defended only when they are exerting their duty as representatives of the people, when they express their opinions and votes. If an arrest is needed, it must be made with the Parliament’s permission, besides the cases when the MP is caught red handed.

The planners of this draft see this article as a guarantee for the current opposition, including that of the future, so that they can be defended against politically motivated retaliations against MPs who criticize the government.

The SP propositions that are related with the immunity of judges grant the right of immunity for every judge if it is about the decisions and opinions that they express while on duty, giving up this way from any other type of immunity.

The second draft signed by the Socialists is related with war against corruption, for which the EU Ambassador, Ettore Sequi, declared that the lifting immunity is not enough, but the corruption culture is what is to be fought.

Being on the same line with the EU diplomat, the Socialists demand Constitutional amends that would increase independence, efficiency and responsibility of Constitutional Institutions, in order to achieve an effective war against corruption.

The Socialists propose that the General Prosecutor, the Supreme and Constitutional Court judges, including the High Council of Justice judges, should be voted with qualified majority in Parliament.

This article is seen by the SP experts as the only way to end the political appointments.

It also makes way to a solution for the vacant places at the Supreme Court.

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Speaking about the political debates that have spurred after the immunity lifting of high rank officials, Ambassador Arvizu joined the opposition’s concern that the Constitutional amends for the immunity could be used for political retaliation.

Mr. Arvizu encouraged the increase of public debates for this matter, while he underlined the need of taking very careful steps and that they should not lose time.

“I think that it is not healthy for democracy that the legislation for lifting the immunity can be used as a threat. This is a specific concern that I have and I hope that this is something that will be addressed to. We all agree in principal that the immunity should be lifted. Should there be careful consultations by taking in consideration different views? Certainly. Absolutely. We must be honest. We are not dealing with a new legislation that was conceived overnight. They had more than 1 year to study it. This is not a new topic. In the next 7 or 10 days, we must intensify the public debate and discussions. An ideal system might need more time, but I want to be very sincere: today is July 19th. From now to August, according to the Albanians’ way of thinking, this is an eternity. I emphasize that this is not a new topic, and if there is political will, the immunities will be realized”, Arvizu declared.

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