Inspector General of Colombia

The Inspector General of Colombia (Spanish for "Procuraduría General de la Nación") is an Colombian independent public institution in charge of overseeing the correct functioning of other public institutions, to safeguard public interests and rights of the people, guarantee Human Rights protection and intervene in the name of society in defence of the public interest. This institution is also the maximum authority within the "Ministerio Público" (Public Ministry) as it is commonly and formerly known, and which is also conformed by the Defensoría del Pueblo, and a Personería.

The current Inspector General of Colombia is Edgardo Maya Villazón.

Functions

Procuraduria General de la Nacion is not a judicial institution: it is an independent, public institution overseeing the public conduct of those in authority or in charge of exercising a public function. It is a 'control organism', alongside the Contraloria General (which oversees public expenditure and finances).

According to the Colombian Constitution one of the main purpose of the Inspector General is to prevent, intervene and start disciplinary actions. It prevents before sanctioning, overseeing public officials' performance and warns of any violation to the current norms. [http://www.procuraduria.gov.co/html/infoinstitucional/infoinst_quehacemos.htm]

It intervenes in the different jurisdictions in defence of the legal order, public funds and fundamental rights and freedoms. [http://www.procuraduria.gov.co/html/infoinstitucional/infoinst_quehacemos.htm]

The Inspector General is in charge of initiating, developing and ruling investigations against public officials in accordance with the "Código Único Disciplinario" (Unique Disciplinary Code) also called Law 734 of 2002. [http://www.procuraduria.gov.co/html/infoinstitucional/infoinst_quehacemos.htm]

According to the National Constitution of Colombia, adopted in 1991, the public ministry, headed by the 'Inspector General', as an independent public control institution, also oversees the observance of laws by members of the judiciary, the legistative and the executive; defends the public interest, promotes and protects Human Rights and ensures the effectiveness of the rule of law.

External links

*es icon [http://www.procuraduria.gov.co Procuraduria General de la Nacion official website]