Ecuadorian Government declares Judicial Emergency

President Correa declared a Judicial State of Emergency

Last Monday, the Ecuadorian president, Rafael Correa, declared a judicial emergency to ensure legal services in a controversial transition period of the courts and judges.

Correa’s decree will last for 60 days and it will permit the government to mobilize the judiciary throughout the country to avoid a suspension in services after a reform removed some judges and left courts with less personnel.

The purpose of the emergency state in the judiciary is to guarantee in due form the right to justice and prevent any internal commotion. Last August 30, Correa assured that the Ecuadorian justice reform will have a budget of 600 million dollars.

The government is focusing on a judicial reconstruction of their overburdened system that has 1,2 million cases pending. Meanwhile the opposition leaders pointed out that such reforms are designed to give Correa more control over judicial processes. (AV)

Source: Reuters