Ms. Tininiska Rivera Bryan and Ms. Millie Odhiambo.
As the 149th IPU Assembly concluded this week, the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians reported on its latest caseload detailing severe human rights violations faced by hundreds of MPs worldwide.
The most common violations include attacks on freedom of expression, suspension or loss of parliamentary mandate, threats, intimidation, torture, arbitrary arrest and enforced disappearance.
The IPU’s Governing Council approved several decisions presented by the Committee President, Ms. Millie Odhiambo of Kenya, urging the relevant authorities to disclose information and end the abuses.
Key cases highlighted by the Committee include:
Democratic Republic of the Congo: 18 opposition MPs face alleged violations of their political rights following the December 2023 general elections. The Committee also reported on the death of Mr. Chérubin Okende and the imprisonment of Mr. Jean Marc Kabund for criticizing the Head of State.
Guinea-Bissau: The Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Domingos Simões Pereira, was prevented from attending the 149th IPU Assembly. He and other MPs face violations, including arbitrary invalidation of mandates and restrictions on freedom of expression and movement.
Nicaragua: Delegates at the 149th IPU Assembly heard a passionate plea from Ms. Tininiska Rivera Bryan, the daughter of the missing opposition MP Mr. Brooklyn Rivera Bryan, a Miskitu indigenous leader. She called for parliamentary solidarity and urged MPs at the Assembly to pressure the Nicaraguan authorities to find her father. The Committee also reported on another opposition MP, Ms. Nancy Elizabeth Henríquez James who is in prison. There is concern over Ms. Henríquez’s detention and lack of medical treatment.
Pakistan: Opposition leader Mr. Imran Khan and his colleagues face ill-treatment and arbitrary detention. The Committee calls for their immediate release and respect for their rights.
Thailand: Following the dissolution of the Move Forward Party, several MPs lost their political rights for attempting to amend a lèse majesté law. The Committee calls for a review of relevant laws to align with international standards.
Tunisia: Ms. Abir Moussi and several MPs face detention and prosecution for expressing opposition to the President. The Committee calls for their release and for authorities to facilitate a mission to Tunisia.
Venezuela: The caseload involves 135 opposition parliamentarians elected in 2015, who face alleged politically motivated persecution, criminal proceedings, arrest warrants, and harassment. The Committee also strongly condemned the fact that Ms. Maria Corina Machado was prevented from standing as a candidate in the presidential elections held on 28 July 2024.
Background
The IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians is the only international complaints mechanism with the specific mandate to defend the human rights of persecuted parliamentarians around the world. Its work includes mobilizing the international parliamentary community to support threatened MPs, lobbying national authorities, visiting MPs in danger and sending trial observers.
Its latest decisions were approved by the IPU’s governing bodies at the 149th IPU Assembly which took place in Geneva, Switzerland from 13-17 October 2024.
New human rights tool for MPs
Additionally, the IPU announced a new online course on freedom of expression for parliaments and their members, developed in collaboration with UNESCO.
Dr. Haroun Kabadi of Chad wins the MP of the year award
Haroun Kabadi
Dr. Haroun Kabadi, former President of the National Assembly of Chad.
The 2024 Cremer-Passy Prize, the MP of the year award, has been awarded to Dr. Haroun Kabadi, former President of the National Assembly of Chad (2011 to 2021) in recognition of his exceptional work in promoting peace and security.
Currently, Dr. Kabadi heads Chad’s National Transitional Council, which is playing the role of legislative body as the country returns to constitutional order following the death of the President in 2021.
Born in 1949, Dr. Kabadi holds a doctorate in agronomy and a master’s degree in rice genetics.
His extensive political career includes serving as a Minister, Special Advisor to the President, Secretary-General of the Presidency and Prime Minister.
During his tenure as President of the National Assembly, Dr. Kabadi worked tirelessly to strengthen peace, security and socio-political stability in Chad, the Sahel region, Central Africa and internationally.
He contributed to the adoption of several legal instruments promoting peace and security within regional and sub-regional parliamentary organizations.
As President of the G5 Sahel Interparliamentary Committee, he mobilized efforts against terrorism and advocated for dialogue and socio-economic development.
In July 2022, Dr. Kabadi organized an international meeting on the role of parliaments in security and peace. He also met with members of the European Parliament to discuss the situation in the Sahel and seek their support for peace and security in the region.
Background
The Prize is named after the IPU’s two founders, parliamentarians Frédéric Passy and Sir William Randal Cremer, who created the IPU in 1889.
The Cremer-Passy Prize is open to any sitting parliamentarians who make an outstanding contribution to the defence and promotion of the IPU’s objectives, as well as those “who contribute to a more united, peaceful, sustainable and equitable world”.
Previous winners include Ms. Cynthia López Castro of Mexico and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (2022), and Mr. Samuelu Penitala Teo of Tuvalu (2023).
Nominations for the prize are made by the IPU’s six geopolitical groups.
