The IPU also “notes” (i) the continuous efforts of the prosecution to bring amended indictments, all based on the same broad allegations; (ii) the circumstances of the arrest and detention of Mr. Beltrán in the absence of any legally valid arguments; (iii) the inhibition/recusal (or disqualification)of two judges as well as (iv) the public statements of President Arroyo and the Secretary of Justice which clearly prejudge the guilt of the persons concerned in disrespect of the fundamental principle of the presumption of innocence.

It “fears” that all this suggests that the persons concerned are prosecuted on the basis of considerations which are alien to the law,” it said.

Abused parliamentarians

During IPU’s 114th session, the committee examined 30 public cases concerning 112 parliamentarians in Bangladesh, Belarus, Burundi, Cambodia, Colombia, Ecuador, Eritrea, Honduras, Palestine/Israel, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Zimbabwe. It was chaired by Philippine Senator Franklin M. Drilon, and participated in by parliamentarians Sharon Carstairs of Canada, committee vice-president Fernando Margaín of Mexico, Zahia Benarous of Algeria, and Marie-José Laloy of Belgium.

Being in the list of cases being investigated by the IPU, Lim said the six Filipino lawmakers are among those “parliamentarians who were abused by the administration in power.”

The IPU stated that “this (persecution) constitutes a grave attack on parliament itself and should therefore be of concern to the parliamentary authorities; calls on them to closely monitor the investigation and would appreciate the observations of the parliamentary authorities in this respect.”

Also, the IPU has decided to continue examining this case at 115th IPU Assembly to be held in October and “hopes to be able to close it upon reaching a satisfactory settlement.”

Established in 1976, the Committee meets in camera four times a year to ensure that the human rights of the world’s parliamentary community – composed of more than 40,000 members – are respected. It has contributed to the settlement of a large number of the 500 cases in 104 countries that it has examined since its creation.

Established in 1889, the IPU is the oldest multilateral political organisation. It brings together 146 affiliated parliaments and seven associated regional assemblies. The world organisation of parliaments acts as Permanent Observer to the United Nations.

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