Latest news with #IntelligenceLaw
Miami Herald
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Ecuador passes controversial laws to fight organized crime
SANTIAGO, Chile, June 16 (UPI) -- President Daniel Noboa's administration won legislative approval for two key laws aimed at strengthening its response to rising organized crime and violence in Ecuador. However, the limited debate surrounding the passage of the Intelligence Law and the National Solidarity Law has drawn criticism. Noboa has defended both laws as essential tools to fight drug trafficking, but some legal experts disagree with the measures. "Even if Noboa's actions are well-intentioned, both laws must be reviewed to ensure the fight against drug trafficking doesn't violate the Constitution," legal expert Pablo Encalada said. The Intelligence Law aims to combat organized crime, protect civilians and support economic recovery in violence-plagued areas. But Ana Belén Cordero, Ecuador's former secretary for Anti-Corruption Public Policy, called the law authoritarian. "It violates every principle of the rule of law by granting enormous power to the head of the intelligence system, bypassing prosecutors and judges," she said. The new law also would expand the authority of the Strategic Intelligence Center, or CIES, allowing it to collect personal data, conduct wiretaps and carry out raids without a court order. The National Solidarity Law would create a legal framework for Ecuador's national intelligence and counterintelligence system. It allows funds seized from drug traffickers to be transferred to security forces without oversight or reporting requirements. "It makes sense for the state to have confidential funds for intelligence operations, but there must be accountability to the National Assembly on how those resources are used," Cordero said. The law would allow security forces to receive real estate, equipment and other contributions from domestic or international organizations. Donors would be eligible for tax breaks. "This opens the door to massive leaks of both public and private funds," said Luis Córdova, a researcher at the Ecuadorian Conflict Observatory (Llamas), in an interview with local outlet Primicia. He also raised concerns about a proposal to increase penalties for juvenile offenders. While Cordero acknowledged the need to address youth involvement in crime, she argued that minors should not face the same penalties as adults. She emphasized that the state's absence in the country's poorest areas drives many young people to join drug gangs. Because the Intelligence Law has faced criticism from human rights organizations, which argue it violates constitutional protections, it must be reviewed by Ecuador's Constitutional Court before it can take effect. In 2024, Ecuador recorded an average of 38 homicides per 100,000 people -- the highest rate in Latin America, according to Insight Crime and other sources. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
UPI
16 hours ago
- Politics
- UPI
Ecuador passes controversial laws to fight organized crime
Ecuador's Intelligence Law would expand the authority of the Strategic Intelligence Center, allowing it to collect personal data, conduct wiretaps and carry out raids without a court order. That law and another measure face review by reviewed by Constitutional Court before taking effect. Photo by Carlos Duran Araujo/EPA-EFE SANTIAGO, Chile, June 16 (UPI) -- President Daniel Noboa's administration won legislative approval for two key laws aimed at strengthening its response to rising organized crime and violence in Ecuador. However, the limited debate surrounding the passage of the Intelligence Law and the National Solidarity Law has drawn criticism. Noboa has defended both laws as essential tools to fight drug trafficking, but some legal experts disagree with the measures. "Even if Noboa's actions are well-intentioned, both laws must be reviewed to ensure the fight against drug trafficking doesn't violate the Constitution," legal expert Pablo Encalada said. The Intelligence Law aims to combat organized crime, protect civilians and support economic recovery in violence-plagued areas. But Ana Belén Cordero, Ecuador's former secretary for Anti-Corruption Public Policy, called the law authoritarian. "It violates every principle of the rule of law by granting enormous power to the head of the intelligence system, bypassing prosecutors and judges," she said. The new law also would expand the authority of the Strategic Intelligence Center, or CIES, allowing it to collect personal data, conduct wiretaps and carry out raids without a court order. The National Solidarity Law would create a legal framework for Ecuador's national intelligence and counterintelligence system. It allows funds seized from drug traffickers to be transferred to security forces without oversight or reporting requirements. "It makes sense for the state to have confidential funds for intelligence operations, but there must be accountability to the National Assembly on how those resources are used," Cordero said. The law would allow security forces to receive real estate, equipment and other contributions from domestic or international organizations. Donors would be eligible for tax breaks. "This opens the door to massive leaks of both public and private funds," said Luis Córdova, a researcher at the Ecuadorian Conflict Observatory (Llamas), in an interview with local outlet Primicia. He also raised concerns about a proposal to increase penalties for juvenile offenders. While Cordero acknowledged the need to address youth involvement in crime, she argued that minors should not face the same penalties as adults. She emphasized that the state's absence in the country's poorest areas drives many young people to join drug gangs. Because the Intelligence Law has faced criticism from human rights organizations, which argue it violates constitutional protections, it must be reviewed by Ecuador's Constitutional Court before it can take effect. In 2024, Ecuador recorded an average of 38 homicides per 100,000 people -- the highest rate in Latin America, according to Insight Crime and other sources.
Iraqi News
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Parliamentary Security Committee works to pass Civil Defense and Military Retirement Laws
The Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee counted, today, Thursday, the number of laws voted on so far, while indicating that it is working to pass the Civil Defense, Interior Ministry, and Military Retirement Laws in the current legislative term. The head of the committee, Karim Aliwi Al-Muhammadawi, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The committee approved the Intelligence Law that was suspended for 10 years," indicating that "this law is one of the very important laws and its approval is an achievement for Parliament and the government." He added that "the government withdrew the Popular Mobilization Law that was read first and second and was about to be voted on, due to the presence of comments from the Popular Mobilization Forces," noting that "we called on the government to return the law to be voted on as it is necessary and important and does justice to the sons of the Popular Mobilization." He explained that "the committee voted on the National Security and Passports Laws," noting that "the committee has the Civil Defense, Interior Ministry, and Military Retirement Laws, and we hope to pass them during the current legislative term."
