Poroshenko: MPs shouldn't have absolute parliamentary immunity
On the 9th of February, at a meeting with employees of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, the President of Ukraine stated that MPs don't need absolute parliamentary immunity.
“I didn’t wait until the People’s Deputies took the initiative to develop draft constitutional amendments concerning the revocation of parliamentary immunity. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine voted in favor of it and for sending it to the Constitutional Court. Then, they became very busy and they didn’t have the time to consider this bill,” Poroshenko stated.
“They thought if it wasn’t considered at this session, it would disappear. I’m very happy that the Verkhovna Rada adopted amendments to the Regulations. This convocation of MP’s should consider amendments to the Constitution on first and on second readings,” the President of Ukraine added, noting that this bill received a positive decision by the Constitutional Court.
"People’s Deputies don’t need absolute parliamentary immunity but they should be protected from persecution for their political position and speeches in the Parliament,” Poroshenko summarized.
As Apostrophe reported, there is a precedent in the draft of amendments to the Constitution in which judges can be brought to justice immediately after committing serious crimes.