- Title: ARGENTINA: Protests mount against proposed Argentine judicial reforms
- Date: 16th April 2013
- Summary: BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (APRIL 16, 2013) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF COURT VARIOUS OF OPPOSITION LAWMAKERS AND PROTESTERS WITH SIGNS VARIOUS MORE OF LAWMAKERS AGAINST JUDICIAL REFORM AND GOVERNMENT MINISTER MAURICIO MACRI PARTICIPATING VARIOUS OF LAWMAKERS SINGING NATIONAL ANTHEM LAWMAKER RICARDO GIL LAVEDRA (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) LAWMAKER RICARDO GIL LAVEDRA SAYING: "The government has to reflect, understand that justice is a touchstone for all Argentines. All Argentines want an independent judicial system that can protect the citizens' rights and end this (reform) which would mean the end of the independence of justice, manipulate the courts and on the other hand, damage individual rights." EXTERIOR OF CONGRESS VARIOUS OF COMMISSION IN SESSION LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE HORACIO VERBITSKY (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE HORACIO VERBITSKY "We believe that these projects (reforms) will not end all of the judicial problems once and for all nor do they endanger the country's institutions." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE GATHERING SIGNATURES AGAINST THE JUDICIAL REFORMS
- Embargoed: 1st May 2013 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Argentina
- Country: Argentina
- Topics: Crime,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAA2OWQQN292LH02F3U16PZA61L
- Story Text: Argentines protest proposed judicial reforms as lawmakers gather to review reforms.
Opposition lawmakers and protesters gathered outside Argentina's court on Tuesday (April 16) to protest against proposed judicial reforms the government says would "democratize" justice in the country.
The protesters circulated petitions against the reforms while opposition lawmakers made their case against the government's move.
"The government has to reflect, understand that justice is a valour for all Argentines. All Argentines want an independent judicial system that can protect the citizens' rights and end this (reform) which would mean the end of the independence of justice, manipulate the courts and on the other hand, damage individual rights," opposition lawmaker Ricardo Gil Lavedra said.
President Cristina Fernandez confirmed on March 01 that her government would go ahead with a broad judicial reform proposal that includes public elections to pick members of the Magistrates Council - a powerful body that nominates and disciplines the nation's judges. Fernandez also seeks new regulations to govern the use of injunctions, which she described as "distorting the law".
Legal expert Horacio Verbitsky told Reuters Television the reforms would not fix the problems.
"We believe that these projects (reforms) will not end all of the judicial problems once and for all nor do they endanger the country's institutions," legal representative Horacio Verbitsky, who also suggested a series of reforms that would fix the problems, said.
In 2012, Fernandez called for the judicial system to be "democratized" following controversial rulings such as the acquittal of all the defendants in a high-profile case of forced prostitution.
She has also criticized the courts for their handling of a dispute between the government and leading media conglomerate Grupo Clarin over a broadcast reform law that would force the group to sell off lucrative operating licenses. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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