Summary

In recent years, the European Court of Human Rights has made several judgements on parliamentary immunity as a result of complaints where individuals have claimed that the statements of opinion by parliamentary members have damaged their basic rights. Although there have also been cases in Estonia, since the entering into force of the 1992 Constitution, where issues regarding the immunity of Riigikogu members have become topical, there has so far been very little substantial work done on this topic.

The article provides an overview of the concept of parliamentary immunity and the unaccountability of members of parliament, concentrating mainly on the topic of unaccountability. Thus the article looks at the aim and meaning of unaccountability, its extent, duration, possibilities for relinquishing unaccountability, and poses the question of what is meant by legal accountability. The topic is examined in both a historical and comparative perspective, and there is discussion of the practice of the European Court of Human Rights in the matter of unaccountability.