Human Rights Watch urges Venezuela to halt court-packing scheme

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) _ Human Rights Watch urged Venezuela to repeal a new law that allows President Hugo Chavez's government to pack the nation's highest court with judges allied to his party.

Friday, June 18th 2004, 6:09 am

By: News On 6

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) _ Human Rights Watch urged Venezuela to repeal a new law that allows President Hugo Chavez's government to pack the nation's highest court with judges allied to his party.

Unless the law is rescinded, the Organization of American States should intervene to address the threat to the independence of Venezuela's Supreme Tribunal, the New York-based group said in a report Thursday.

Critics fear pro-Chavez deputies who dominate Congress will use the law to seize control of the tribunal, which would decide any dispute arising from a presidential recall vote Aug. 15.

The law expands the court from 20 to 32 members and allows Congress to hire and fire justices by a simple majority vote under certain conditions. Congress used the law Tuesday for the first time to fire the tribunal's vice president, Franklin Arrieche.

``The crisis facing Venezuela's judicial system could have a profoundly negative impact on the country's democracy,'' the Human Rights Watch report said.

Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel called the report ``unacceptable'' and accused Jose Vivanco, executive director of Human Rights Watch's Americas Division, of being a ``mercenary'' and ``provocateur.''

Rangel called the group ``an imperialist instrument'' supporting the opposition's efforts to recall Chavez in the referendum.

Francisco Ameliach, the president of Venezuela's National Assembly and a leader of Chavez's Fifth Republic Movement party, proposed that the legislature declare Vivanco ``persona non grata'' in Venezuela, the state news agency Venpres reported. It was not clear when the Chavez-dominated National Assembly would vote on the measure.

Human Rights Watch insisted its report was nonpartisan and reminded the government that the group had condemned a brief 2002 coup against Chavez.

Arrieche's firing was based on a report by a congressional panel _ composed exclusively of ruling party members _ alleging he gave false information on his credentials when he was appointed.

It cited Arrieche's ties to Luis Miquilena, once one of Chavez's closest collaborators and now one of Chavez's most vociferous critics.

The firing comes as both sides prepare for a recall referendum on Chavez, who was elected to a six-year term in 2000. For a recall to succeed, more Venezuelans must vote against Chavez than the 3.7 million who elected him four years ago.

If Chavez loses, new elections must be called within 30 days. The winner would serve out the remainder of Chavez's term.

Chavez is a deeply divisive figure. Critics say he is steering the world's No. 5 oil exporter toward Cuba-style dictatorship. Supporters say he is improving the lives of Venezuela's majority poor.