Parliamentary Immunity in International Legislation

A Legislature is one of the most important bodies in a country, because in addition to its primary duty of passing legislations it also monitors the executive body and holds it accountable for the execution of its duties. Due to this responsibility the national legal systems have granted legal protection for members of the legislature to aid them to carry out their assigned responsibilities in accordance with the constitution, this protection is known as Parliamentary immunity.

We have clarified the concept of Parliamentary immunity and its legal nature, in addition we have also discussed its types (objective and procedural) and made clear the differences between them. In addition, we pointed out the procedure of lifting the immunity, legal reasons that require it be lifted and the position of some constitutions in regard it.

We have also explained and indicated whether Parliamentary immunity was successful in protecting the legislature from intimidation or strong-arming of the executive authority.