The National Assembly approved this Thursday the appointment of Daniel Ramírez Herrera, as Provisional Public Defender of Venezuela, while the Nominations Committee evaluates the candidacies to choose the Public Defender and his alternate.
“Citizen Daniel Ramírez Herrera is appointed as Provisional Public Defender in charge, while the process of evaluating the curriculum corresponding to the position takes place,” said Jorge Rodríguez, president of parliament.
Rodríguez explained that Ramírez, while exercising his functions, may apply to the Evaluation Committee to be considered for the position, provided he meets the requirements.
During the session, the deputy of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), Pedro Carreño, nominated the lawyer Daniel Augusto Ramírez Herrera, as provisional public defender, until the new member of the institution is elected.
“This National Assembly has powers and the power to provisionally appoint a Public Defender until Parliament, after evaluating through the Nominations Committee, appoints a new Defender,” Carreño said.
He explained that Rodríguez Herrera has held the position of general coordinator of the Public Defense, but currently he was not assisted by legality, so the appointment was necessary.
Approved in first discussion reform of the Public Defense Law
This Thursday was approved by qualified majority, in first discussion, the reform of the Organic Law of Public Defense.
The proposal was presented by Carreño, who asserted that it is necessary to modify article 12 of the legal text.
“Article 12 of the current law establishes the appointment by election. The National Assembly has 90 calendar days before the expiration of the term of the General Public Defender and his two alternates (…) A committee will be set up to evaluate applications for the election of the general public defender, made up of deputy members of the National Assembly and representatives of various sectors of society, with a number of no more than 15 members”, explained Carreño during the Parliament session.
Carreño recalled that between 2015 and 2020 – while the AN was in contempt – Parliament lost the power to appoint a Public Defender.
Dr. Marisela Castro had been appointed in April of this year, however, “it is up to the National Assembly to initiate the nomination process for the selection of general public defender, prior to which a partial and simple reform of the existing law is required.”
