Colombian Constitution

Mr. Hollywood says on Sep 2, 2004, 09:02:

Changes were dramatic The changes in 1991 were dramatic. There's no simple answers to all your questions but here's a good place to start reading some political history of Colombia in English.

http://drclas.fas.harvard.edu/publications/revista/colombia/tcontents.html

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juanalejo says on Sep 2, 2004, 09:38:

Long Answer It is not easy to answer but in very general terms: 1. Difference many but some of the more important that I can recall, central government has less power, more going to regions, creation of constitutional court, creation of "tutela" which is fast track trial when any of your basic rights have been steped on, all the regions became "departamentos" with the same status, previously remote areas had a lesser status, permanent representation in congress of minorities (basically indian tribes), divorce (which we did not have). 2. It basically became a constition a somewhat more according to today´s Colombia and trying to address its problems. It also became part of the peace accord with the M-19 guerrilla group when they became part of the country´s politics. (many of who are now know as Polo Democratico) 3. A group of politicians from all kinds of factions were involved for a year in the task. It included people like Antonio Navarro ex M-19, Horacio Serpa and Alvaro Gomez (conservative party leader later assasinated) among several others. Approved by popular vote. 4. It did open congress and regional posts to many new faces, although it has evidently not been the cure for all of the countries problems as people were expecting. 5. I think people are more aware of the constitutional rights as they were before, and laws that have been under study in congress, some approved and some not, are evidence of that such; single mother´s rights, common law living and the rights adquired when this happens and gay marriage are some examples.

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