Amnesty International released a statement on Friday calling on the Madagascan authorities to release member of parliament Marie Jeanne d’Arc Masy Goulamaly, who the organization claims was arbitrarily arrested last month. 

The human rights organization demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Goulamaly, who was arrested on May 31 after protesting alleged voting irregularities in the May 29 legislative elections in Tsihombe.

Amnesty International Regional Director for East and Southern Africa Tigere Chagutah condemned Goulamaly’s arrest, stating:

It is a travesty that Malagasy authorities have detained member of parliament, Marie Jeanne d’Arc Masy Goulamaly, for making a complaint about the fairness of the legislative elections in her district. … Her continued arbitrary detention violates her rights to freedom of expression and association. Authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Marie Jeanne d’Arc Masy Goulamaly as she is detained solely for peacefully exercising her human rights.

Following the incidents in Tsihombe where the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) was set on fire, MP Masy Goulamaly was arrested in Ambovombe and placed under house arrest. On May 31, fires broke out at the district office and the Voting Materials Census Section, destroying numerous voting materials including ballots. Goulamaly, who is seeking re-election, was implicated in the incident.

The president of the House of Representatives on June 7 wrote to Madagascan Prime Minister Christian Ntsay regarding Goulamaly’s detention, citing constitutional provisions that protect MPs from prosecution and arrest without National Assembly authorization. He emphasized that Goulamaly, who is still a legitimate MP, should not have been detained without the assembly’s consent.

He further urged the prime minister to ensure her release so she can resume her duties, especially as head of the Gender and Development Committee, amid concerns about the Coronavirus pandemic.