Commission qualifies for impeachment against former chancellor

Ecuadornews:

The process for a possible political trial against former Foreign Minister María Fernanda Espinosa is under way.

The Audit Committee of the Assembly verified the fulfillment of the requirements established in article 131 of the Constitution, for which reason it accepted the request presented by Fernando Flores, an interpellant assembly member from CREO; Cristina Reyes, of the PSC. Of Byron Suquilanda, of CREO, and Marcelo Simbaña, of CREO, who attached 53 signatures of assembly members who support them.

Interpellants consider that Espinosa, who at the moment serves as president of the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN), failed to fulfill functions for the irregular granting of the nationality to Julian Assange.

They also accuse Espinosa of not attending to the crisis generated by the kidnapping and subsequent murder of the newspaper team of El Comercio newspaper on the northern border, for managing her appointment to the UN.

The president of the Commission, María José Carrión, indicated that they will send the notification to Espinosa, via diplomatic bag, since she is in New York, United States, since June 11, so that she can exercise her right to defense. Also will convene from next week officials of the Foreign Ministry who participated in the granting of Ecuadorian nationality to Assange to explain the process.

Juan José Alencastro Moya, Professor of International Law at the Catholic University, said that the impeachment is appropriate because Espinosa served as Minister of Foreign Affairs for less than a year, so it does not matter if she does not hold office at the moment.

However, the process has just begun and, if the impeachment is approved, it will pass to the plenary session of the Assembly where, finally, the legislators will decide if censorship is appropriate. (I)

Source: https://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/noticias/politica/3/comision-fiscalizacion-tramite-juicio-excanciller