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The Code of Conduct and Parliamentary Ethics

— Tuesday 7 November 2023 —

The aim of the Code of Conduct and Parliamentary Ethics is to consolidate democratic, citizenship and public interest values and strengthen the role of parliamentary responsibility. For this purpose, the Code sets out the principles that govern parliamentary practice as well as the duties and conduct regulations associated with it. It also establishes mechanisms to encourage councillors to adhere to those principles and regulations within and outside the House

Be selfless and work for the public interest

The member of the House shall: :

  • Prioritize parliamentary work over other activities of the House, particularly the continued presence of the House's work and discipline at its sessions and meetings of its committees, as a non-differentiated and impartial representative of the nation, who works towards the public interest and is free of their class membership of the House of Councillors whenever inconsistency occurs;
  • Exercise their functions in good faith, responsibly and with dedication, and not to use their position to promote their personal interests or those of their family members or acquaintances;
  • Preserve confidential information accessed to when performing their duties and are prohibited from using said information for special gain, particularly accessing certain functions or privileges after the expiration of the term of Bureau based on the provisions of laws or decisions that the member contributed to their removal in the form in which they were issued
Integrity

The member of the House of Councillors must avoid being in situations that may affect the duty of impartiality and neutrality, give a positive picture of the parliamentary institution, and seek to maintain a view of due respect for it, as well as the obligation to adhere to a set of ethical principles, including the following:

•  Effective and honest performance of parliamentary functions;

•  Refrain from any infringement of the country's reputation in international forums;

•  Not to hold financial obligations vis-à-vis parties or organizations that may have a negative impact on their performance carrying out their parliamentary functions;

•  Not to accept invitations or to be in places that may bring them suspicion;

•  Not to accept any gift, benefit or loan that would not have been granted to them if it was not for their parliamentary status. They must declare the remainder of the gifts they receive if their value is equivalent to their monthly parliamentary compensation. The gifts they receive from national or international institutions shall be deposited at the House’s Museum.

Objectivity

In particular, the House member's commitment to this principle requires:

  • Expressing opinion with courtesy and respect, and by all means of expression, without exceeding the limits of law and decency;
  • Selecting and proposing suitable and qualified individuals to assume public responsibilities and assignments for which the House of Councillors is competent to propose or elect;
  • Achieving balance and addressing all views and positions expressed in the drafting of reports to be prepared for the House or its Bureau;
  • Good listening to citizens' complaints and issues and giving them due advice and serving them as much as possible.
Accountability

Members of the House of Councillors are responsible for their decisions and actions vis-à-vis citizens and institutions. As such, they shall:

  • Stand ready to accept any criticism or legal accountability;
  • Be keen to develop their personal skills in parliamentary areas;
  •   Be accurate when investigating information that they receive to avoid unintended harm or defamation of others.
  • Members of the House shall automatically withdraw from membership of the Committee or the legislative body or the oversight body whenever their personal or party’s interest is in conflict with the public interest.
  • Any member of the House who is suspicious of being in a conflict of interest situation in relation to one of their obligations relating to the Code of Conduct shall consult the President of the House or their delegate for that purpose.

The President of the House of Councillors may, upon his own initiative on the basis of the statements made by the members of the House of Councillors on their professional activities or at the request of the interested party, inquire the councillor in question in writing, and, in the event of ascertainment, invite them to temporarily withdraw from membership of the Standing Committee or from membership of any other interim body.

The House's Bureau shall be entrusted with the task of regulating, respecting, and taking appropriate action in respect of these rules and, when appropriate, giving alerts and notifications to those concerned.