Demonstration against Uruguay Supreme Court to protest human rights rulings

Monday, February 25th 2013 - 06:50 UTC

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Human rights groups with the support from political organizations, labour unions and students are planning a march and demonstration against Uruguay’s Supreme Court to protest a ruling that in effect re-instates an amnesty law which benefits military and police officers allegedly involved in human rights crimes during the 1973/84 dictatorship. Read full article

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redpoll
If Mujica wants to impeach the Supreme Court, in whiich court will the impeachment take place? By the politicians? That will be totally uncustitutioal as the judicial and executive powers are totally independent. Any ideas?
Feb 25th, 2013 - 02:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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ChrisR
@1 redpoll

“By the politicians?”

No other choice is there? In most democracies the legislature (Lords in the UK) are the final arbiters of what they intended when the judiciary was set up.

This case is a bit unusual though and I would have thought the President could have vetoed the second law which removed the first.

The main reason for the first law is to remove the chance of another coup surely? I have no doubt the original military would have been tempted to take over again if they thought they were going to jail.

Does the Supreme Court not head up to the President?
Feb 25th, 2013 - 05:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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redpoll
A conumdrum to which I dont know the answer
Feb 25th, 2013 - 07:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Stevie
Three braches of authority in Uruguay, judiciary, legislative and executional. According to the constitution, they may not interfer in eachothers policies. The FA can have a go at the SCJ, but not Mujica himself.
The ruling party chooses the 5 members of the SCJ though, and the FA is broad indeed.
No forgetting or forgiving.
Feb 26th, 2013 - 10:57 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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redpoll
SO who does the FA appeal to?
Feb 26th, 2013 - 12:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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ChrisR
@4 Stevie

Welcome back Guzz.

I do hope and trust that you are still pursuing a proper career and your banishment did not destroy it.
Feb 26th, 2013 - 03:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Stevie
Legallywise, FA can't do more than a political trial against the SCJ for not having fulfilled their commitment to report to the other branches. Else I'd guess it's the ICJ next.

Chris, you get weirder with every post. I hope you are well too.
Feb 26th, 2013 - 10:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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