In the following article, the vice president of the constituent assembly charged with drafting Ecador's new constitution describes how the document will provide for a major shift from the neoliberal and representative democracy to people power and participatory democracy. This appears to be in line with the example set by Venezuela and reflects the current trend throughout Latin America, the rise of left of center and populist democratically elected governments fueling a major transition towards grassroots empowerment in the region. We the editors view this regional phenomenon as a major improvement, one that is making Latin America one of the most inspiring places in the world for advocates of participatory democracy. - Editor
Ecuador: New Constitution Paradigmatic, Democratic
July 21, 2008
Source: http://www.escambray.cu/Eng/news/Wecuador080721209.htm
Quito, Jul 21 (PL) - The new Ecuadorean Constitution is revolutionary, paradigmatic and democratic, because it guarantees the rights of citizens and nature, according to Constituent Assembly Vice President Aminta Buenaño.
That Constitution, approved by the Constituent Assembly, marks a before and after, because if it is ratified in September referendum, it will establish the end of the neoliberal model and the beginning of a social and solidarity system, Buenaño pointed out.
It is a deep change for society, because it goes from representative democracy to participatory democracy, in which the core of everything is the citizen, she stressed.
That is why a new power is created, social and transparent control, in which individuals make decisions and public powers are supervised, she told Ecuadorean television.
Another new element, absent in several constitutions, is that it includes nature's rights, so it contains the concept of the Defender of the environment, who will oversee environmental protection, Buenaño said.
Regarding polemic issues, she denied that the Constitution will decriminalize abortions, and recalled that the State guarantees and respects life from the moment of conception.
She added that marriage could only take place between men and women, according to the final document approved by the Constituent Assembly.
The official also denied that the new Constitution hinders freedom of expression in the country, which is guaranteed, providing that citizens' rights be respected.
Buenaño warned against the opposition's disagreement with change and the new Constitution, which it is trying to distort to influence the people negatively.
Therefore, she added, a great campaign will be launched to publicize the content of the Constitution, which will meet the demands from most Ecuadoreans.
Source: http://www.escambray.cu/Eng/news/Wecuador080721209.htm
Quito, Jul 21 (PL) - The new Ecuadorean Constitution is revolutionary, paradigmatic and democratic, because it guarantees the rights of citizens and nature, according to Constituent Assembly Vice President Aminta Buenaño.
That Constitution, approved by the Constituent Assembly, marks a before and after, because if it is ratified in September referendum, it will establish the end of the neoliberal model and the beginning of a social and solidarity system, Buenaño pointed out.
It is a deep change for society, because it goes from representative democracy to participatory democracy, in which the core of everything is the citizen, she stressed.
That is why a new power is created, social and transparent control, in which individuals make decisions and public powers are supervised, she told Ecuadorean television.
Another new element, absent in several constitutions, is that it includes nature's rights, so it contains the concept of the Defender of the environment, who will oversee environmental protection, Buenaño said.
Regarding polemic issues, she denied that the Constitution will decriminalize abortions, and recalled that the State guarantees and respects life from the moment of conception.
She added that marriage could only take place between men and women, according to the final document approved by the Constituent Assembly.
The official also denied that the new Constitution hinders freedom of expression in the country, which is guaranteed, providing that citizens' rights be respected.
Buenaño warned against the opposition's disagreement with change and the new Constitution, which it is trying to distort to influence the people negatively.
Therefore, she added, a great campaign will be launched to publicize the content of the Constitution, which will meet the demands from most Ecuadoreans.
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