~ AS TO THE MERITS OF THE CASE IN TERMS OF THE APPLICANTS’ SUBMISSION Since the pleading of the facts of the case had already been done by the Applicants, they made the following pleas in law: I. VIOLATION OF THE APPLICANTS’ POLITICAL RIGHTS 17. The Applicants stressed that the violation of their political rights arises from the fact that they were summoned for hearing in court and that proceedings were instituted against them, pte in disregard for the political rights they are entitled to as former Ministers, for some of them, and as Parliamentarians, for others, to, wit, that. there is violation of their functional immunity and their privilege of exemption from prosecution, as enshrined in the Constitution of Senegal, which is the source law for the Haute Assembly Cour de Justice and the Rules of Procedure of Senegal. They also pleaded that there of the National is violation of the principles of constitutional convergence. being: sued to court reand from prosecution - 18. The Applicants averred that charges have been brought against them on the basis of Law No. 81-53 of 10 July 1981 relating to the Combat of Ilegal-Wealth. That they had all exercised the functions of Minister of the Republic of Senegal under the former regime. 19. That Article immunity against exercise 101 of the Constitution from prosecution and persons criminally liable of their ministerial of debars for Senegal the institution offences functions, or confers of proceedings committed in an on: them during instance of the the performance of such function. Their written pleading stated thus: That “The Prime Minister and the other Members be criminally liable for acts engaged of Government shall in while exercising their functions