Ali Abdullah Saleh The judicial immunity draft law has been concluded by The National Reconciliation Government, led by Mohamed Salem Basindwa. The draft law is to be forwarded to the parliament for discussion and approval, according to Yemeni political sources. The law however, faces objections by protestors across Yemen.
Article I of the Act, grants President Ali Abdullah Saleh, "and all who worked with him in all institutions of the state, whether civil, military or security, full legal and judicial immunity, regarding any complaints, requests or lawsuits, that can be, or have been, raised before any judicial or administrative authority, whether inside or outside the Republic of Yemen, for their deeds during the period of his rule."
Article II states that this law is, "an act of sovereignty that may not be canceled or appealed." Article III, says, "This law is activated starting from the date of its issuance and shall be published in the official newspaper,"
Political sources told 'Arabstoday' of a disagreement between the General People's Congress (GPC) and the opposition parties involved in the reconciliation government, on the text of the draft law. The main point of contention is only one word. The first article of the law, included the phrase, "full immunity legally and the judiciary," which is the same phrase of the text of the Gulf Initiative. GPC demands replacing the word “judiciary” with the word “criminally.”
On the other hand, Saleh has delayed his treatment in response to the request of leaders from his party for not leaving the country during such difficult circumstance that require his presence.
Sources confirmed that the revolution sweeping government institutions in Yemen, and delaying the issuance of the law, were the reasons behind postponing his trip to the U.S., after being granted a visa for the purposes of "humanitarian treatment.” Sources says that the aim of delaying his trip is to pressure his opponents, into a rapid passage of the law, and to stop the protests, which overthrew a large number of GPC leaders, who were running these institutions.
Saleh and the leaders of the Congress Party have concerns regarding the overthrown of Hadi in the early presidential elections, in favor of powerful competitors, which will be based on unanimity as stipulated in the Gulf Initiative. The GPC demands canceling presidential elections and declaring Hadi as the president of Yemen, in a joint meeting of the House of Assembly and the Shura Council. The request is rejected by the opposition, for contradicting the initiative, which would open the way for other changes to come