TNAG-0652-FCO40-801-Planning-Staff-papers-on-human-rights-and-foreign-policy-cou-1977 — Page 32

BOLIVIA (continued)

Right No.

(v)

(vi)

(vii)

CONFIDENTIAL

Rating suggested by Post

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There is little direct interference with the judiciary, and the Supreme Court is proud of its independence. On the other hand, the standard of personal integrity in the judiciary is not high, and one can hardly doubt that judgements are sometimes influenced by political considerations.

The

In November 1974, the Government suspended the trade unions right to elect their own leaders, their place being taken by Government-appointed "labour co-ordinators". The right to strike was suspended at the same time, but in practice there have been a number of short strikes since then, without any sanctions being taken against the strike leaders. Mineworkers' Federation retained the right to elect its leaders, but in May 1976 elected an Executive Committee dominated by Peking-line communists. This led to demands for large wage increases and subsequent strikes which the Government dealt with by sending the Army into the areas affected and arresting the leaders, 35 of whom were sent into exile in Chile. Thus the present situation of the trade unions leaves much to be desired.

Pesos

There are no obstacles to emigration, which is in fact at a high rate. can be freely transferred into dollars and remitted abroad.

CONFIDENTIAL

4