Bolieiro points “negligence” in solution for Ponta Delgada chain

O president of the Government of the Azores, José Manuel Bolieiro, lamented the delay in finding a “worthy solution” for the chain of Ponta Delgada, considering there is “negligence of the state” by successively delaying an answer to the prison establishment.

In a statement released today, the Government of the Azores states that José Manuel Bolieiro participated on Thursday in the opening session commemorative of the centenary of the Bar Association in Ponta Delgada, having returned to talk about the situation of the Prison Institution in that city.

In the note it is mentioned that the leader of the regional executive (PSD/CDS-PP/PPM) criticized the delay of the State in “finding a dignified solution to that infrastructure”, speaking of “state negligence”, which has successively postponed a response to the prison establishment.

In the intervention, Jose Manuel Bolieiro advocated a justice closer to the citizens, stressing that living on nine islands, with different geographical and demographic realities, requires “adjusted responses to ensure a true equal opportunity in access to courts”.

The head of the Azorean executive also expressed support for the proposal of the Bar Association which provides for the use of videoconferencing in certain judicial procedures in the Azores.

José Manuel Bolieiro considered the proposal “just, sensible and modern”, stressing that he does not intend to replace face-to-face justice with a virtual one, but to use the technological means available to correct inequalities caused by geographical distance.

“I do not see in it a privilege for the Azores. I see in it the correction of an inequality that only exists because we are islands ", said, quoted in the note.

Recalling that the Constitution enshrines the correction of inequalities derived from insularity, the ruler expressed “openness and commitment” so that the proposal is appreciated and can give rise to a legislative initiative in the Assembly of the Republic.

“There is no real Justice without free, independent, courageous and technically prepared lawyers,” he added, stressing that “the independence of lawyers, professional secrecy and freedom of sponsorship are not privileges of the profession, but guarantees of citizens.”.