102

Article 102 1. There shall be freedom of speech and debate in the National Assembly and a member shall not be subject to the jurisdiction of any court or to any proceedings whatsoever, other than in proceedings in the Assembly, when exercising those freedoms or performing the functions of a member in the Assembly. 2. Where the National Assembly is in session an arrest shall not be effected against a member in a way which will interfere with the performance by the member of the functions of the member in the Assembly and, where proceedings are instituted against a member, the court or authority before which the proceedings are being conducted shall so conduct the proceedings as to allow the member to continue to perform the functions of the member in the Assembly. 3. Where an arrest has been effected against a member, or any proceedings against a member begun, before the beginning of the session of the Assembly, the arrest or proceedings shall not be allowed to interfere with the performance by the member of the functions of the member in the Assembly. 4. The protection afforded under clauses (2) and (3) shall, in the case of a criminal proceedings, end upon the court or authority before which the proceedings are being conducted passing a sentence on the member on the conviction of the member. 5. A member or other person or authority is not liable to civil or criminal proceedings, arrest, imprisonment, fine, damages or compensation by reason of - a. an act done under the authority or an order of the Assembly; or b. words spoken or used, or a document or writing made or produced under an order made under the authority of the Assembly. 6. Where a person, other than a member of the National Assembly, is aggrieved by the exercise of the right under clause (1), that person may, in writing addressed to the Speaker, submit a reply to the Speaker and the Speaker shall circulate a copy of the reply to every member of the Assembly, and at the commencement of the proceedings of the immediately following sittings of the Assembly, read the reply in the Assembly.