Guatemala Congress Looking at Laws
Guatemalan Congress is initiating Tuesday its first ordinary session of 2006, in which severe debates on social laws are forecasted.

Today´s plenary will include the Universal and Equitable Access to Family Planning and Services Law, passed by the Parliament and vetoed by Guatemalan President Oscar Berger.

The bill sets the State´s responsibility to guarantee availability of planning methods for all families.

Other issues on the agenda for coming months are the Central America-Dominican Republic-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) complementary laws.

Although the FTA was passed by Congress and enacted by the Executive, Washington demands changes in the copyright, telecommunications and phytosanitary laws before putting it into practice.

Several deputies oppose US demands and even President Berger said that fundamental changes should not be admitted as the accord had already been approved and discussed between the two parties.

Meanwhile, social, union, campesino and popular organizations have created a group of experts to study irregularities contained in the FTA law.

The analysis will enable lodging before the Constitutionality Court an appeal on behalf of the sectors opposing the commercial pact.

In this legislative period, the Parliament has scheduled to pass the Adoption and anti-Tax Evasion laws as well as a security bill.

In addition, it will deal with the Older Adult law, also rebuffed by the president, plus education reforms.