This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6590611.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Ecuador MPs seek Colombia asylum | Ecuador MPs seek Colombia asylum |
(about 8 hours later) | |
At least 11 Ecuadorian MPs have sought political asylum in Colombia after a state prosecutor issued warrants for their arrests for treason. | |
More are expected to follow, according to one of the MPs, Gloria Gallardo. | More are expected to follow, according to one of the MPs, Gloria Gallardo. |
Some 24 MPs have been accused of rising against the government, out of a total of 50 MPs who were fired last month and reinstated on Monday. | Some 24 MPs have been accused of rising against the government, out of a total of 50 MPs who were fired last month and reinstated on Monday. |
They were sacked for opposing a vote on constitutional reform which gives President Rafael Correa more power. | They were sacked for opposing a vote on constitutional reform which gives President Rafael Correa more power. |
The referendum was approved by the overwhelming majority of voters last week. | The referendum was approved by the overwhelming majority of voters last week. |
On Monday, the Supreme Court said the 50 MPs' dismissals were unconstitutional and reinstated them. | On Monday, the Supreme Court said the 50 MPs' dismissals were unconstitutional and reinstated them. |
But Congress, now led by supporters of Mr Correa, responded by sacking the court's nine top judges on Tuesday. | But Congress, now led by supporters of Mr Correa, responded by sacking the court's nine top judges on Tuesday. |
The 24 MPs are accused of sedition for "rising against the government, refusing to recognise the constitution, and impeding a meeting of the Congress", prosecutor Elsa Moreno is quoted as saying by the AFP news agency. | The 24 MPs are accused of sedition for "rising against the government, refusing to recognise the constitution, and impeding a meeting of the Congress", prosecutor Elsa Moreno is quoted as saying by the AFP news agency. |
"We have come to Colombia, which is a sister country, to ask for protection and political asylum," said Ms Gallardo. | "We have come to Colombia, which is a sister country, to ask for protection and political asylum," said Ms Gallardo. |
"We are being persecuted. The government is violating our human rights." | "We are being persecuted. The government is violating our human rights." |
Political crisis | Political crisis |
Mr Correa says the deputies were sacked for incompetence and did not deserve their jobs back. | Mr Correa says the deputies were sacked for incompetence and did not deserve their jobs back. |
Mr Correa took over as president in January promising radical change to the way the country is governed and hoping to end 10 years of political turmoil, but it has been a chaotic few months, says the BBC's South America correspondent, Daniel Schweimler. | Mr Correa took over as president in January promising radical change to the way the country is governed and hoping to end 10 years of political turmoil, but it has been a chaotic few months, says the BBC's South America correspondent, Daniel Schweimler. |
Fifty-seven congressmen were originally removed from office, but the constitutional court verdict applied only to the 50 who had signed a legal petition to be reinstated. | Fifty-seven congressmen were originally removed from office, but the constitutional court verdict applied only to the 50 who had signed a legal petition to be reinstated. |
The right-wing Congressmen and women are opposed to radical reforms being implemented by left-wing president Mr Correa - reforms he says will give a greater voice to the people and bypass a Congress he accuses of corruption and mismanagement. | The right-wing Congressmen and women are opposed to radical reforms being implemented by left-wing president Mr Correa - reforms he says will give a greater voice to the people and bypass a Congress he accuses of corruption and mismanagement. |
Previous version
1
Next version