LA PAZ, June 8 (Xinhua) -- Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz on Monday enacted a new law regulating states of emergency, as 39 consecutive days of protests and road blockades have led to disruptions in supplies, transport and the economy.
Law 1740 allows the president to declare a state of emergency through a supreme decree in situations involving threats to state security, external threats, internal unrest or natural disasters. The decree must be sent to the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, Bolivia's national legislature, which has 72 hours to rule on it.
Speaking at the government headquarters in La Paz, Paz said the law is aimed at protecting the majority of Bolivians, defending the constitutional order and restoring economic normality.
The president said dialogue would remain the main tool of his government, but warned groups he described as violent and linked to "narco-terrorism" that the state would act firmly under the law.
The 27-article law regulates states of emergency under Bolivia's Constitution, guarantees fundamental rights during their implementation and defines the roles of the police, armed forces and prosecutors.
Paz said the measure has institutional backing and was approved by a qualified majority in the Plurinational Legislative Assembly.
He also urged the armed forces and police to act firmly and professionally while respecting human rights and the constitutional framework.
Bolivia's unrest has been led by the Bolivian Workers' Central, farmers' organizations, teachers' unions, miners and other groups demanding solutions to the country's economic problems.
The protests and blockades have affected supplies of goods and fuel in several regions and triggered clashes between demonstrators and security forces. Enditem
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