The Upper House started to debate the controversial Criminal Procedural Code reform bill at around 2pm. Government officials expect to have enough supporters to pass it on to the Lower House today.
The project aims at changing the current inquisitorial-based system to an adversarial system, in which preparatory research is in charge of a prosecutor.
The bill, sent by the Executive, was cleared for debate by a Senate plenary commission after 42 amendments were included.
One of the most controversial articles that remain in the bill establishes that deportation is applicable in cases in which foreigners (independently of their migratory status) are apprehended while committing crimes that have a maximum possible sentence of three years in jail.
Foreigners who have their immigration papers in order can waive their trial and be offered the terms of “probation” like any other Argentine citizen, a path that is not open to those with an irregular migratory status.
The Radical Party (UCR), who is against the deportation of foreigners, stated it is in favor of changing the inquisitorial-based system to an adversarial system, but only if more amendments are included in the bill.
Federal Peronism and Broad Front UNEN were expected to vote against the initiative.
buenosairesherald.com