Andina

Peru President calls for Congress extraordinary session

13:15 | Lima, Jul. 17.

Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra on Tuesday called for a Parliament extraordinary session to debate and adopt an agreement on removal of all members of the National Council of the Magistracy (CNM), in accordance with article 157 of the Constitution.

The special session is convened for Friday, July 20, at 4:00 PM.

As is known, article 118 (6) of the Peruvian Constitution gives the President of the Republic the power to convene a Congress extraordinary session.

The initiative is intended to ensure transparency under the current government administration and safeguard the exercise of jurisdictional functions.

The Head of State urged lawmakers to apply article 157 of the Constitution to dismiss all CNM members from their positions after alleged acts of corruption by said institution came to light.


Case

Supreme Judge Cesar Hinostroza is implicated in a series of audio recordings released by Panorama TV show and investigative journalism site IDL-Reporteros since July 8.

In the conversations, the judge offers and accepts favors to and from National Council of the Magistracy (CNM) members and other officials.

According to statements contained in one audio recording, Hinostroza had allegedly negotiated —with an unknown caller— the application of a mild punishment against a child rapist.

In this sense, President Martin Vizcarra —last week— underlined investigations must be conducted rapidly to severely punish the persons responsible for these disgraceful and despicable acts.

Likewise, the CNM opened an investigation on Hinostroza. Also, an impeachment motion against him was submitted to Congress.

Furthermore, Judicial Branch Head Duberli Rodriguez announced Hinostroza has been removed from the presidency of the Supreme Court's Second Transitory Criminal Chamber.

The Executive Branch established the Justice System Reform Commission, attached to the Presidency of the Republic, according to a Supreme Resolution published last Friday in El Peruano official gazette.

The consultative commission is intended to propose urgent and concrete measures to reform the justice system and thus contribute to effective, timely, transparent, efficient, and incorruptible justice.

(END) CCR/RMB/MVB


Published: 7/17/2018