Mexican Congress delays sweeping justice reform

REUTERS

8:38 a.m. December 14, 2007

MEXICO CITY – Mexican lawmakers have postponed the approval of a sweeping justice reform until next year, delaying President Felipe Calderón's efforts to boost police powers in the fight against violent drug gangs.

The Senate approved Calderón's proposal late Thursday but made minor changes that meant the bill had to be sent back to the lower house.

The lower house had passed the bill the day before, but Thursday was the last session of Congress before a recess until February.

The proposal would allow police to hold organized crime suspects for up to 80 days without formal charges, which could result in more drug traffickers being convicted and imprisoned. Judges would have to authorize such extended detentions.

A year-old army crackdown on Mexican drug cartels has put hundreds of suspected smugglers in jail, but some have walked free because prosecutors did not have enough time to build a good case, lawmakers said.

Senators modified the version passed by the lower house to restrict police powers to enter homes without a warrant.

Critics of the bill have said it goes too far and would violate civil liberties.