Colombian Congress to be investigated for passing of justice reform bill

 

Colombia’s Inspector General’s Office will investigate the country’s Congress for its handling of a controversial justice reform initiative, that was initially passed and then scrapped.

The preliminary investigation will be opened against the Senate and the House of Representatives to determine if there were any irregularities in the June 14 passing of the bill.

Investigators will pay particular attention to the handling of the bill by German Vargas Lleras, former interior minister and current housing minister , and Justice Minister Juan Carlos Esguerra to determine if the officials pressured congress members to pass the draft. Esguerra oversaw the handling of the bill as well as the congressional committee, though claims not to have been in the room when the controversial changes were agreed upon. He offered his resignation June 23, taking responsibility for the failure of the reform.

Santos admitted Monday that his government was “wrong” in its passing of the bill and vowed to “make the necessary corrections.” He pinned blame on Minister Esguerra for supporting the reform “without being aware of its repercussions.”

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