The Tico Times Online Daily Page

Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, December 19, 2002

DECENTRALIZING DEFENSE: Ombudsman Echandi announces new office in Limón.
TT/ Mayela Lopez

December 19

Year-end Fiesta and Dinner
With La Solución Orchestra and the animation of Kurubandé dance group, at 7 p.m. at Tennis Club, Escazú. Info: 234-0682.

Residents Asociation
Invites the community to join them to its Adventure visiting the Fiestas de Palmares renowned for the largest Tope (3,000 horses parade) in all of Costa Rica and making a stop first at Los Angeles Cloud Forest. Reservations at 233-8068, 221-2053.

National Conference for English Teachers
Register now, the conference is Jan. 22-24, C.R.-North American Cultural Center. Info: 207-7501, fax: 290-2550.

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UN Torture Protocol Passes, Despite U.S. Resistance

The General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) yesterday passed the Costa Rican-sponsored Protocol against Torture, despite U.S. resistance to the measure.

Costa Rica Foreign Minister Roberto Tovar celebrated the passage of the protocol as "a resounding diplomatic triumph for Costa Rica, and a giant step in favor of humanity."

The protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel or Unusual Treatments was passed by 127 countries voting in favor of the measure, four against it and 42 abstentions. The U.S., Nigeria, Palau and the Marshall Islands voted against the protocol.

China, Cuba, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Vietnam and Libya were among the 42 countries to obtain. Iraq, Iran and North Korea -- the three countries U.S. President George W. Bush labeled "axis of evil" -- were not present for the vote.

"Costa Rica's important role promoting this new international judicial tool has been recognized," Tovar said. "We appreciate and are thankful for all the support we have gotten from the numerous nations and people who understand the importance of the protocol."

The protocol sets up a system of regular prison visits by international experts to judge the conditions of countries' jail conditions and standards of punishment.
-AFP

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Dutch Tourist Busted with Cocaine

A 20-year-old Dutch citizen, identified by the last name Keltoum, was detained at Juan Santamaría Airport by Drug Control Police yesterday when she attempted to board a plane to Amsterdam with 2.7 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside her shoes.

The drugs were hidden inside the hollowed-out soles and heels of two pairs of shoes, according to a Security Ministry press release.

Keltoum is the sixth Dutch citizen detained this year attempting to smuggle drugs through the airport, according to police statistics.

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Ombudsman's Office Opens New Branch in Limón

Keeping good on his promise to decentralize his office, Ombudsman José Manuel Echandi announced yesterday the Defensoría de los Habitantes, with a special grant from the British government, will open an office next February in the Caribbean port town of Limón.

Echandi said the new Ombudsman branch will make it much easier for the office to defend Limonenses' rights and attend to their complaints. People living on the Caribbean coast currently have to trek to San José to file complaints with the Defensoría.

The new office will also be equipped with a van, which will allow employees of the Ombudsman's Office to visit rural areas of the province and educate people about their rights.

"My goal as Ombudsman is to go out and look for complaints people have, and to give people better access to our institution, which is an instrument for conciliation, facilitation and conflict resolution," Echandi said. "With the new office in Limón, we will bring the Defensoría closer to the people, and vice-versa."

Outside the Central Valley, the Ombudsman's Office has recently opened branches in the Northern Zone town of Cuidad Quesada and in Liberia, Guanacaste's capital.

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