Changes seek to moderate penalties, decriminalize certain conduct and strengthen trust in state institutions.

On Wednesday, Jorge Rodriguez, president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, sent to Caryslia Rodriguez, president of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), the draft partial reform of the 2017 “Law against Hatred, for Peaceful Coexistence and Tolerance.”

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“Now the Supreme Court must consider the partial reform to continue moving forward and subsequently hold a second debate on the bill,” lawmaker Rodriguez said.

The initiative seeks to moderate penalties considered disproportionate and move toward decriminalizing certain conduct classified as offenses under the law approved by the National Constituent Assembly.

Origin of the Request

On Sept. 29, Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez asked the National Assembly to partially reform the Law Against Hate. Her main objective is to advance the decriminalization of conduct covered by the legal framework as part of the transformation of the criminal justice system.

She proposes creating opportunities for social reconciliation, respecting diversity and placing human dignity at the center of legislation. The legal amendment also aims to strengthen trust in state institutions and invigorate the country’s political and social life.

Consultation and Participation

The bill was drafted by the Special Commission for the Partial Reform of the Constitutional Law Against Hate, for Peaceful Coexistence and Tolerance, chaired by lawmaker Pedro Infante, the Parliament’s first vice president.

On Oct. 5, the commission was established at the Legislative Palace to define a work plan based on dialogue with various social sectors, Infante said. He added that the discussion sessions would provide opportunities for active listening to incorporate civil society.

The consultation will include victims, journalists and sectors affected by the previous application of the current legislation. The review focuses on articles that provide prison sentences of 10 to 20 years for the crime of incitement to hatred. In parallel, the technical commission proposed changing the law’s official name.

The proposed legislation must undergo review by the Supreme Court, public consultation and a second parliamentary debate before final approval.

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: AN – teleSUR

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