By R. Renee Yaworsky
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

CARACAS, Venezuela—New laws imposed by “lame duck” legislators in Venezuela have continued to inspire criticism that the country has now lapsed into a dictatorship.  President Hugo Chavez, who will rule by decree for the next 18 months, has taken this opportunity to stifle as much opposition as possible.

One of the new laws sparking controversy will prevent lawmakers from switching political parties, categorizing such an act as “fraud.”  Lawmakers breaking this law may be thwarted from holding public office of any kind.   Many leaders of the opposition have protested, calling the law unconstitutional.

Proponents of Chavez defend the regulation.  Iris Varela, a legislator who is a member of the President’s United Socialist Party, argued that such a law was necessary as it disallowed Chavez’s critics from being elected on one ticket “so later they can betray.”

Another new law changes the way the country’s legislature will operate procedurally.  For example, legislators used to be able to take to the floor to orally defend a bill for 15 minutes; now they will only have 10 minutes.  Those opposing a bill will only have 3 minutes to make their argument.  A further change restricts parliamentary debates from being broadcasted on state television.

Defenders of free expression have spoken out against a new law that expands restrictions on Internet messages that “incite or promote disobedience of the current legal order,” or “refuse the legitimately constituted authority.”

“One has to say it clearly:” said Ismael Garcia, an anti-Chavez legislator, “a new dictatorial model is being imposed in Venezuela.”

Last week, fervent protests erupted against the restrictive laws.  Most of the protesters were students and were dispersed by armed forces shooting off water cannons and rubber bullets.

“In Venezuela, the law is destroyed by the law,” opined historian and philosopher Fernando Mires in a recent essay.  “The judicial system is destroyed by the judicial system and the Parliament is destroyed by the Parliament.”

For more information, please see:

New York Times-New Laws in Venezuela Aim to Limit Dissent-24 December 2010

Wall Street Journal-Flurry Of New Laws Strengthens Chavez’s Grip On Venezuela-24 December 2010

AP-Flurry of laws boost Chavez’s power in Venezuela-24 December 2010