The subject of this article is the issue of the scope of immunity protection afforded to members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. This study analyses two types of immunity operating within the legal framework of the Council of Europe: non-accountability and inviolability, using the legal-dogmatic method. While the treaty basis for these immunities has remained unchanged over the years, the Parliamentary Assembly has attempted through a series of resolutions to creatively interpret the normative formula of these immunities. Such interpretations have often resulted in a controversial extension of the scope of this protection. The article also signals the practical significance of immunity of a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, invoking the case of deputy Marcin Romanowski.
The author analyzes the problem of the implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). In light of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), a special role in its control mechanism is played by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. Despite the measures taken, there have been delays in the execution of judgments or the lack of their implementation for years. The author analyzed this problem in light of the latest reports of the Committee of Ministers and the recommendations of the Parliamentary Assembly. He pointed to the need for greater activity in this process of other bodies of the Council of Europe, including: the Commissioner for Human Rights, the Venice Commission, the CPT, the ECRI as well as institutions of the civil society. In the last decade, the interest of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in this matter has clearly increased. The author postulates that parliamentarians sitting in this body should be more active in this regard in their countries. They have instruments of control on the executive power, which could be used to increase the effectiveness of the execution of the ECtHR’s judgements.
The immunity protection of members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe covers material and formal aspects. As parliamentarians, they also enjoy immunity under national law. In the case of a member of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland (Sejm deputy) who is a member of the Parliamentary Assembly, doubts arose as to the period of time during which he or she is entitled to ‘European’ immunity. The question also emerged as to what impact the waiver of a MP’s parliamentary immunity might have on this immunity. The article discusses the scope and procedure for waiving the formal immunity of a member of the Parliamentary Assembly, as defined in the regulations of the Council of Europe. On this basis, a legal assessment was made and conclusions were drawn regarding the issues analysed, as well as those relating more generally to the institution of formal immunity.
Sprawa Marcina Romanowskiego, byłego wiceministra sprawiedliwości, któremu prokuratura postawiła zarzuty związane z nieprawidłowościami w dysponowaniu Funduszem Sprawiedliwości, ujawniła spór o zakres immunitetu członka Zgromadzenia Parlamentarnego Rady Europy. Prokuratura, podejmując decyzję o zatrzymaniu, kierowała się ekspertyzami prawnymi, z których wynikało, że M. Romanowskiego nie chroni immunitet ZPRE. Sąd uznał jednak, pod wpływem pisma przewodniczącego ZPRE, że M. Romanowski objęty jest immunitetem. Podobnie postąpił sąd odwoławczy. Powstaje więc potrzeba analizy, skąd biorą się rozbieżności w ocenach ekspertów prawnych i ZPRE w kwestii zakresu obowiązywania immunitetu członka ZPRE. Autor podjął próbę wyjaśnienia tych kontrowersji poprzez uwzględnienie nie tylko norm prawnie wiążących, ale też „miękkiego prawa” Rady Europy.
EN
The case of Marcin Romanowski, former deputy minister of justice, who was charged by the prosecutor’s office related to irregularities in the management of the Justice Fund, revealed a dispute over the scope of the immunity of a member of the PACE. When deciding on the arrest, the prosecutor’s office was guided by legal expertise, which showed that M. Romanowski was not protected by the immunity of the PACE. However, the court decided, under the influence of a letter from the chairman of the PACE, that M. Romanowski was covered by immunity. The appellate court did the same. Therefore, there is a need to analyze the reasons for the discrepancies in the assessments of legal experts and the PACE regarding the scope of immunity of a PACE member. The author attempted to explain these controversies by taking into account not only legally binding norms, but also the “soft law”.
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