At last! The government is seeking a constitutional amendment that has nothing to do with politicians feathering their own nests, or robbing taxpayer coffers or gathering power like squirrels do pine nuts.

Instead, the amendment sought is one that would allow Costa Ricans who commit crimes elsewhere and take refuge here to be extradited to the scene of their judgement.

President Laura Chinchilla made the announcement at a local meeting of the Combined Antidrug Intelligence Center. The change will allow Costa Ricans accused of drug trafficking or organized crime in other countries to be extradited for trial.

As written, the constitution refuses to allow those committing such crimes abroad being extradited for trial.

The change would go a long way to cementing Costa Rica’s international reputation as a team player. It might also kill off the image of the “banana republic” fostered by the so-called “Vesco law” of the 1970s.

In that era, Jose “Don Pepe” Figueres pushed through the Legislative Assembly a law against extradition to prevent several countries, including the United States, from extraditing fugitive financier Robert Vesco.

The law was later repealed, but not before this country became the butt of jokes about being a ready refuge for evil-doers. Even today, in TV police series, the country appears with the image of being a shelter for criminals.

The President also said she would seek an amendment allowing police (with proper court approval) to listen in on a wire tap. She said police have told her, “(The case collapsed) because the judge didn’t know how to interpret what he was hearing.”

Moreover, she said she would propose more severe sentences for organized crime and the drug trade.

One purpose of the meeting was to name current anti-narcotics czar Mauricio Boraschi to head of the intelligence center beginning in January.

Background: Today, the country prevents extradition of anyone, even a foreigner, if the country demanding access to the accused would likely execute him if he is found guilty. This country does not have capital punishment.

Law also prohibits foreign punishment for crimes not on Costa Rican books. Thus, the country would refuse an extradition request for a foreigner accused of sedition against the government or homosexuality, for example.

Such distinctions were more important during the last century when this country was surrounded by military and civilian dictatorships. Still, this country grants roughly half of foreigner requests for political asylum.

Source: Fijatevos.com