Five former Attorney Generals of the Nation closed ranks in defense of this entity, against the National Government’s proposal to end its functions, through a bill.
The former officials agreed that Colombia needs the Attorney General’s Office to protect the interests of citizens, defend human rights and fight corruption.
It is also argued that this control entity is crucial for achieving better results in the performance of the functions of state entities.
They also point out that attempts to end the Public Prosecution Service are unfortunate and may be motivated by revenge rather than rational desires. In fact, they indicate that this institute has proven its importance over the years and should continue to exist.
Alfonso Gómez Méndez, lawyer between 1989 and 1990, assures that the power to impose disciplinary sanctions against those elected by the people was not invented by Margarita Cabello or Jaime Bernal, but by the voters when the 1991 Constitution was drafted .
“The Public Prosecution Service is like the symbol of the validity of the rule of law. It is important for the defense of human rights and in the fight against corruption,” he said.
Alejandro Ordóñez said in the same sentence that the Office of the Attorney General must be maintained and strengthened so that it can fulfill its functions.
Edgardo Maya, a lawyer between 2011 and 2009, claimed that the political decision to terminate the Public Prosecutor’s Office in March next year cannot be accepted or tolerated by Colombian society.
“What we have here is the preservation of the existence of the Public Prosecution Service. It is an institution that is historically representative of our democratic, legal and, moreover, institutional structure.”
Jaime Bernal Cuéllar, lawyer from 1996 to 2001, stated that the request to terminate the Office of the Attorney General stems from the regular work carried out by the entity. “That means that the Public Prosecution Service works very well, because if they were working irregularly, they would not ask to limit the functions or end the entity.”
Carlos Gustavo Arrieta, lawyer for the period 1990-1994, for his part, stated that the Public Prosecutor’s Office fulfills some guiding functions that Colombia needs.
“It is an entity whose nature is to protect the interests of all Colombians. The other institutions alone do not achieve their mission; if you combine them with the Public Prosecution Service, they can be reached.”
According to Arrieta, they want to put an end to the Public Prosecution Service, because people don’t like to be investigated or punished.
Source: El Heraldo
Emma Fitzgerald is an accomplished political journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in political science and international relations, she has a deep understanding of the political landscape and the forces that shape it.
