Too Many MPs Under Attack and in Danger the World Over

Too many MPs in the world are being targeted, intimidated and harassed as an attack on democracy itself, according to IPU.

Countries such as Afghanistan and Maldives are witnessing concerted direct violence against parliamentarians and at times also their families.

As the 128^th IPU Assembly concluded in Quito, Ecuador, IPU’s Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians expressed concern at the recent suicide bombing attack on the family of the Speaker of the Lower House of parliament in Afghanistan.

As part of a series of resolutions on cases on the human rights abuses of MPs around the world, IPU also voiced serious concern at the level of confrontation between the government and parliament of Maldives with parliament’s authority being continually challenged. The Indian Ocean Island nation has been in political crisis since February 2012.

Significant intimidation and harassment of MPs has led to the IPU Committee following 21 cases of human rights abuses of parliamentarians, including that of Afrasheem Ali who was assassinated last October. IPU has stated its deep concern that despite evidence, no-one has been held accountable for attacks on the MPs and at allegations that MPs may no longer be receiving the security protection they need.

The IPU Committee examined the cases of 147 MPs in 24 countries during its latest session, pronouncing resolutions on cases involving 86 MPs in 17 countries.

This included the case of opposition MP Léonard Hitimana of Rwanda who disappeared 10 years ago on 7 April 2003. IPU is extremely concerned at his continued disappearance, arguing that the lack of any serious investigation supports the long-standing accusation that he was the victim of enforced disappearance.

IPU is urging authorities to carry out an independent, effective investigation examining new lines of enquiry, including questioning John Karangwa, Deputy Director of Counter-Intelligence at the time of Hitimana’s disappearance.

The Organization is also alarmed at the constant death threats a group of opposition MPs from Colombia’s Polo Democratico Alternativo, including long-standing political critic, Ivan Cepeda Castro. It calls on authorities to take the threats on his life seriously.

On another case involving the murders of six MPs of the Patriotic Union party in Colombia killed between 1986 and 1994, IPU is questioning what steps authorities are taking to establish accountability. The murder of one of the six, Manuel Cepeda, has been declared a crime against humanity in Colombia. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights has found the Colombian State bore responsibility for his murder.

IPU is deeply concerned that after 14 years, the high-profile murders of two MPs in Ecuador, Jaime Ricaurte Hurtado Gonzalez and Pablo Vicente Tapia Farinango, authorities there have failed to identify the instigators and bring to trial all the alleged perpetrators, including two suspects, one of whom remains in the USA.

On the high-profile case of Cambodian opposition politician Sam Rainsy who remains in exile, IPU deeply regrets that with elections in Cambodia drawing near, it has not been possible for him to return to his country and make a meaningful contribution to free and fair elections given he is the Cambodia’s main opposition leader.

The Organization renews its call on the ruling and opposition parties to do everything possible to work together urgently so that Rainsy can stand as a candidate in the elections.

IPU’s Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians is currently working on cases involving 255 MPs from 41 countries.

To access the full set of resolutions on the human rights of parliamentarians, please go to: http://www.ipu.org/hr-e/192/192all.htm

 

For further information, please contact:

IPU Press Office

Jemini Pandya, Tel: + 593 99 763 9725 or + 41 79 217 3374 or Email: jep@ipu.org

Leonie Guguen, Email: lg@ipu.org