For many years, Attorney General Miriam German Brito was the presiding judge of the Penal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice. Her team of prosecutors now has alerted that the Penal Code as passed in the Chamber of Deputies is full of incongruencies and violations of national and international legislation that would make processing criminals difficult. Furthermore, last minute changes made in the Chamber of Deputies bill are objected.
The Attorney General has urged the senators to draft the Dominican Penal Code with clarity and precision, so that at the time of its application it leaves no room for doubt or interpretations that turn into injustices.
In a 112-page document addressed to the Senate of the Republic, the magistrate suggests eliminating articles, reworking others that are not explained and generate confusion, correcting contradictions, duplicities and deficiencies in the draft. She urges there be universal jurisdiction for crimes and offenses and that the articles of the code do not collide with the Code of Criminal Procedures (CPP), local laws, the Constitution and international treaties signed by the country.
The Ministry of Women, the Children’s and Adolescents Cabinet, the legal advisor of the Presidency, the Foundation for Justice and Institutionality (Finjus), Citizen Participation, and dozens of other organizations have shared recommendations for amendments in the bill presented by the Chamber of Deputies to the Senate for passing.
Nevertheless, a story in Diario Libre on 5 August 2021 says that most senators are preparing to pass the Penal Code as received from the Chamber of Deputies. The senators that participated in a special committee presided by senator Santiago Zorilla (PRM-El Seibo) to review the bill seek a quick passage, arguing that changes can be made later. The country recently has lived the experience with the Political Parties Law and Electoral Regime Law that have required dozens of corrections by the Superior Electoral Court, the Superior Administrative Court and the Constitution after they were fast-tracked through Congress.
The legislative period ends on 15 August 2021. If the bill is not passed it will expire and can be again reintroduced to Congress.
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Diario Libre
N Digital
Diario Libre
5 August 2021