Government opposes immunity for Congress

[Judi Lynn]

.Government opposes immunity for Congress
Thursday, 04 August 2011 14:24
Sarah Cast

Colombian Interior Minister German Vargas Lleras spoke out against a legislative initiative that would grant all members of Congress immunity from prosecution and a right to appeal, Caracol Radio reported Thursday.

The promise of congressional immunity “lends itself to ambiguity,” Vargas Lleras said.

Senate President Juan Manuel Corzo submitted the legislation in draft form Wednesday. If passed, lawmakers “will not be charged, prosecuted, detained, or deprived of liberty without prior authorization of their respective house.”

Because of the large number of former members of Congress under investigation for corruption or ties to paramilitary groups, the initiative has drawn strong opposition.

The interior minister warned that judicial reform will be tied to the current prosecution of members of Congress.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/18110-colombian-govt-opposes-immunity-for-congress.html

[rabs]

1. Proposed legislation was withdrawn today

Corzo dropped the idea "in consideration of the way the project was handled in the communications media." (en consideración al manejo que se le dio al proyecto en los medios de comunicación".)


Yep, he blamed the media, not admitting that it was a very bad idea to grant immunity to the uribista parapoliticians and other assorted corrupt souls in the Congress.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Poor Corzo, shoved around by what's left of the Colombian media.

It's such a obvious move, to try to ennact that immunity for the criminals who haven't been caught. That seems to be a big deal with right-wing politicians.

Do recall Pinochet ran for the Senate so he couldn't be prosecuted in Chile, after he tortured and murdered so many as a U.S.-assisted President.

That's some racket, politics the right-wing way.