‘A clear abuse of power’: HRW condemns dismissal of Bogota’s mayor [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

‘A clear abuse of power’: HRW condemns dismissal of Bogota’s mayor
Mar 20, 2014 posted by Philip Acuña

“Colombia is taking an unfortunate decision,” says Jose Miguel Vivanco, director of the Americas Division of Human Rights Watch.

In a strongly worded statement released Wednesday night, Vivanco criticizes President Juan Manuel Santos’ decision to dismiss an injunction filed by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).

Vivanco describes President Santos’ decision as, “A serious judicial error, because in regards to this issue, there are clear and binding laws defined by the constitutional court.”

Bogota’s Mayor

Gustavo Petro, Bogota’s former mayor, was removed from office in December 2013 due to alleged “irregularities” that were uncovered in his attempts to transfer the city’s privatized garbage collection system into public hands. This allegedly resulted in 9,920 tons of uncollected garbage left on the streets. As a result, Colombia’s Inspector General, Alejandro Ordoñez, decided to dismiss the city’s mayor and ban him from serving in public office for 15 years.

More:
http://colombiareports.co/clear-abuse-power-human-right-watch-condemns-dismissal-bogotas-mayor/