Ecuador reinstates 51 ousted lawmakers

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Ecuador reinstates 51 ousted lawmakers

By JEANNETH VALDIVIESO, Associated Press Writer
Mon Apr 23, 10:12 PM ET

QUITO, Ecuador - Ecuador's highest court on Monday
reinstated 51 lawmakers ousted last month for allegedly
interfering with a referendum on the South American
nation's need for a new constitution.

The Electoral Tribunal's dismissal of the congressmen
last month had plunged all three branches of government
into legal chaos and it didn't appear that this latest
development would quicly restore stability.

The president of the Constitutional Court, Santiago
Velasquez, told reporters the chamber granted the
lawmakers' request to block the Electoral Tribunal's
firing of more than half of the 100-member legislature.

The Constitutional Court is the country's highest court
and its rulings cannot be appealed, but President Rafael
Correa said Monday's decision was a "flagrant" violation
of the country's legal procedures.

-snip-

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070424/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/ecuador_constitutional_crisis

[bemildred]

1. Maybe they should get some "retired judges" to settle this. nt

[bemildred]

2. Ecuador's congress fires judges

Ecuador's congress has fired judges from the country's highest court for reinstating 51 politicians who were sacked for opposing constitutional changes.

Byron Pacheco, the congressional vice president, said: "Nine members of the constitutional court have been dismissed," insisting their removal predated the court ruling on the politicians.

Opposition politicians have clashed with Rafael Correa, Ecuador's president, over his plans to rewrite the constitution and curb the influence of traditional political parties who many blame for years of instability.

Pacheco said the judges had overstayed their congressional terms.

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/998763C0-F71F-43FC-8374-20B9DBF14F7D.htm

[Judi Lynn]

3. Wow! I guess he certainly knew this was going to be rough, as he campaigned

vigorously on his promise to really, REALLY change the way things have been going there, citing the incredible government corruption which has been deeply entrenched.

Here's a BBC News view:

Last Updated: Tuesday, 24 April 2007, 21:44 GMT 22:44 UK

Ecuador's Congress sacks judges

Ecuador's Congress has sacked nine top judges after they voted to reinstate 50 lawmakers fired last month for opposing a referendum on constitutional reform.

President Rafael Correa insisted the lawmakers were sacked for incompetence, and did not deserve their jobs back.

On Monday the Supreme Court ruled the dismissals were unconstitutional. The Congress now led by supporters of Mr Correa responded by sacking the judges.
(snip)

Earlier this month his proposals received the overwhelming backing of the Ecuadoran people in a referendum.

The planned changes face strong opposition from a political establishment that sees power and influence slipping from its grasp, our correspondent says.
(snip/)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6590245.stm

[bemildred]

4. They seem to have a constitutional crisis.

But the people have spoken.
:-)

[Judi Lynn]

5. 11 Ecuadoran deputies seek asylum in Colombia

11 Ecuadoran deputies seek asylum in Colombia
04-25-2007, 05h45
BOGOTA (AFP)

Eleven Ecuadoran opposition legislators arrived in Bogota late Tuesday and asked for political asylum after a state prosecutor ordered their arrest for sedition, an Ecuadoran congresswoman said.

Opposition congresswoman Gloria Gallardo said four more legislators were expected to follow them into Bogota.

"We have come to Colombia, which is a sister-country, to ask for protection and political asylum," said Gallardo, who arrived on a flight from Quito together with 10 other deputies from the right-wing PRIAN party.

The 15 were part of a group of 24 deputies that prosecutor Elsa Moreno accused Tuesday of sedition for "rising against the government, refusing to recognize the constitution, and impeding a meeting of the Congress."

More:
http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=172987

[Judi Lynn]

6. UN chief praises Ecuador's border plan to help refugees

UPDATED: 13:54, April 25, 2007
UN chief praises Ecuador's border plan to help refugees

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon praised Ecuador's border plan to help Colombian refugees in a letter read at a ceremony launching the initiative Tuesday.

According to UN data, Ecuador hosts most refugees from neighbouring Colombia, which means that the South American country deserves "the continuous support of the international community to face the humanitarian and development challenges of its northern frontier," Ban said in the letter.

"The United Nations hails the Ecuadorian government for launching this important initiative and hopes to hear more about the details and how the UN can help," he said.
(snip)

According to the UNHCR, Colombia's internal conflict has resulted in the deaths of more than 40,000 people since 1990, most of them civilians.

http://english.people.com.cn/200704/25/eng20070425_369635.html