Varela asks shield law clauses declared unconstitutional

IN A MOVE that will be welcomed by civil groups but condemned by self-serving lawmakers  in the National Assembly, President Juan Carlos Varela has filed paperwork with the Supreme Court that seeks to declare four articles of the so-called “shield law” to be unconstitutional.

Varela had previously vetoed the provision, but the Assembly over-road his action.

He  filed the appeal through administration lawyers on Monday November 16. The president requested the uncontitionality  declaration of articles 1, 5, 10 and 12 of the law.

The articles establish a period of only  four months to investigate the president, Supreme Court judges and deputies of the National Assembly and the Central American Parliament.

Varela said these provisions are discriminatory, create privileges and undermine the presumption of innocence.

He indicated that investigations can be extended for up to two years for other citizens.

He had vetoed those provisions on Oct. 13, 2014, but the veto was overridden by the National Assembly on November29.

Judge Oydén Ortega has been assigned to research the request and present a recommendation to the plenary of the court.

The court also has to resolve three other claims on unconstitutionality of the law which have been filed with the court.