Venezuelan National Assembly orders Telcoms to monitor communications 24/7

The Venezuelan National Assembly approved today an amendment to the Organic Penal Procedure Code (in spanish Código Orgánico Procesal Penal) in first discussion. The amending Organic Penal Procedure Code expressly orders all the telecommunication operators in Venezuela to have a Surveillance Unit which will be readily available to the Public Prosecuting Office (Ministerio Público) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for real time surveillance. The law was approved in first discussion and now will be subject to review concerning human rights and open for second and third discussion.

It seems Chavez´s intention is to limit personal freedom, not only economic freedoms but also human rights, all in favour of a greater social good.