Andina

Peru President to make firm, categorical proposal to reform justice system

16:41 | Lima, Jul. 13.

President Martin Vizcarra on Friday affirmed he will introduce a firm and categorical proposal to combat corruption and reform the justice system during his speech to the nation at Congress on July 28.

"The deadline is short, 12 days, but we are going to see results thereafter, through the address (at Congress), bringing a firm and categorical proposal to combat corruption through different mechanisms —one of them aimed at reforming the Judicial Branch," he told the press.

According to Vizcarra, the Executive decided to establish a commission consisting of a small number of notables since more members could complicate the achievement of consensus.

Given the extent of the problem —which came to light after IDL-Reporteros (an investigative journalism site) released audio clips involving Judiciary members— the President stressed the need to act swiftly, hence the commission's tight deadline to introduce reforms for the justice system.

"We need to act with a sense of urgency. One can say the initial deadline is three months, but I think that's a long time. We must have an action plan —to be implemented by the Executive Branch, with the commission's support— before going to Congress," he remarked.

Likewise, the Head of State dismissed the possibility that the Prosecutor's Office would accuse the journalists who published said audio recordings.

"I believe it (the accusation) will not stand. The problem is not the messenger, or who carried the message, the problem is to get to the bottom of this and correct it (…). I'm convinced inadequate measures will be rectified," he underlined.

Case

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

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

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

(END) CCR/RMB/MVB

Published: 7/13/2018