Colombia mulls curb on corrupt lawmakers' families

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Reuters

Colombia mulls curb on corrupt lawmakers' families
13 Apr 2007 18:29:27 GMT
Source: Reuters

By Hugh Bronstein

BOGOTA, April 13 (Reuters) - Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, pressured by a scandal linking some of his allies to illegal right-wing militias, said on Friday he wants to stop corrupt lawmakers using family members to perpetuate their power.

Uribe's proposed constitutional amendment would stop children, spouses and siblings of legislators convicted of collusion with criminal organizations from running for Congress.

Colombian lawmakers convicted of corruption traditionally pass their support to family members who then win their seats.

"The bill is intended to strengthen political parties and stop criminals and terrorists from suborning the will of voters," a presidential statement said.

Eight members of Congress from Uribe's governing coalition are in jail awaiting trial for financing and otherwise supporting paramilitary drug smugglers guilty of some of the worst atrocities of this Andean country's four-decade-old guerrilla war.

Read more: http://mobile.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N13195520.htm

[Turbineguy]

1. The Repubs will never allow that bill to go through

oh, sorry, it's Columbia.:silly: