Bolivian Legislature Names Peoples Defender

La Paz, May 5. -The director of the Plurinational Legislative Assembly of Bolivia called a ceremony next Thursday to empower the new Peoples Defender.

Election of this activist, very important for civilian society of the nation occurred Friday and named Rolando Villena, former president of the Permanent Assembly of Human Rights of Bolivia, to occupy the post.

With 113 votes in favor, more than the two thirds required, Villena assumes his new mandate until 2016.

After the election interim president of the Senate, Rene Martinez of the Movement for Socialism (MAS) ruling party said that the process took place with the democratic participation of all the political forces represented in parliament.

The president of the Chamber of Deputies, Hector Arce, for his part and also from MAS said it was an historical election corresponding to the change the country is going through since 2006.

According to the new Political Constitution of the State approved in February of 2009 the Defender of the People will function for six years without the possibility of a new designation.

This public official will be responsible for investigating and charging according to his work or in answer to complaints, acts or omissions that imply a violation of human rights, of guarantees, individual and collective rights as established in the Constitution.(Prensa Latina)