The proposed changes aim to decriminalize offenses and strengthen democratic coexistence.
On Monday, Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez asked the Parliament of her country for a reform of the 2017 “Law Against Hate, for Peaceful Coexistence and Tolerance.”
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“We continue taking steps toward a new stage of citizen coexistence in Venezuela. I have asked the National Assembly to partially reform the Constitutional Law Against Hate, for Peaceful Coexistence and Tolerance, to advance the decriminalization of the criminal offenses provided for in this law and to correct deviations in its application. This reform seeks to open new spaces for reconciliation among Venezuelans and promote tolerance of diversity with full respect for human dignity,” she stated.
“Given the positive impact that this reform will have on rebuilding trust in institutions and revitalizing the nation’s democratic life, I appreciate your good offices so that this initiative may be considered on an urgent basis,” the Venezuelan acting president wrote in a letter addressed to her brother and the president of Parliament, Jorge Rodriguez, who previously acknowledged the inappropriate use of the anti-hate law and considered a reform possible.
The legal amendment seeks to strengthen trust in state institutions, revitalize the nation’s political life, guarantee institutional strengthening and democratic sovereignty, consolidate social peace, prevent any form of intolerance, and ensure that criminal justice responds in a balanced manner to democratic coexistence.
Acting President Rodriguez’s proposal is part of the ongoing process of political pacification in the South American country, directing laws toward the comprehensive protection of fundamental rights and guaranteeing coexistence among all sectors of society.
Once the formal request is received, the board of directors of the National Assembly will evaluate the legislative consideration of the reform as a priority.
In previous days, the Venezuelan government and a delegation from the 2015 National Assembly successfully concluded a second round of talks in Caracas, where they held seven working sessions organized into two technical committees and two plenary meetings.
Parliament President Rodriguez and representative Dinorah Figuera signed an agreement reaffirming the commitment of both sectors to maintain channels of dialogue and closely follow up on the decisions reached to consolidate peace and democratic coexistence in the country.
In the area of communication and information, the technical committee agreed to support the Rodriguez administration’s policy aimed at restoring and expanding administrative licenses for digital portals, websites, and electronic media.
The delegations urged public and private service providers to carry out ethical journalistic work that promotes pluralistic thinking, while announcing the opening of a debate with various sector stakeholders to review the legal framework governing the use of the national radio spectrum.
teleSUR/ JF
Sources: EFE – Presidential Press
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