A law which contemplates sanctions and penalties against those who block roads and works – which would result in a clear repression of the freedom of expression, has been approved at the Congress of Tabasco.
Legislators in Tabasco, the home state of president Andrés Manuel López Obrador, belong in 100% to the MORENA political party. Therefore, they are all in favor of the construction of the new “Dos Bocas” refinery, one of the AMLO’s administration most important projects.
This weekend, the Public Security, Justice and Civil Protection Commission of the Tabasco legislature endorsed this initiative sent by Governor Adam Augusto López, which was named in social networks as ‘Ley Garrote‘ (law of garrotte), because it contemplates up to 20 years in jail for those who block roads or prevent works from being carried out.
The so-called “Garrote Law” that sanctions demonstrations and their participants when they prevent a public work from being carried out, has been approved by Tabasco lawmakers contemplating up to 20 years in prison against protesters who block roads or organize marches that interfere with public works.
It is worth mentioning that Andrés Manuel López Obrador has always been a true “specialist” in marches and road blocks through his political career. As he even closed down iconic Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City for 3 months, when he was mayor there, in protest against the results of the presidential election of 2006. But now he is trying to avoid those type of practices against his own government, violating the law of freedom of expression.
The initiative will be discussed on Monday, July 29 in the plenary of the local Congress, where Morena is a majority and where it is expected to be approved, even though the opposition says it criminalizes the marches and protest.
López Obrador said that his government is committed to guaranteeing the right to demonstrate and denied that, by promoting this law, it seeks to address the disagreements that may arise in front of the Dos Bocas refinery.
The Yucatan Times Newsroom with information from https://vanguardia.com.mx
