The Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Sala IV) Friday accepted a request from Ombudswoman Lisbeth Quesada to review the Central American Free-Trade Agreement with the United States (CAFTA) before the country votes on it in a referendum.

Sala IV judges will rule on the constitutionality of this controversial trade pact as it pertains to fundamental liberties and human rights.

Quesada has eight days to present a copy of CAFTA to the court for its review. The court then has one month to make a pronouncement on the agreement. The Supreme Elections Tribunal (TSE) has announced Sept. 23 as the tentative date the nationwide referendum on CAFTA will be held.

In a statement released by Quesada’s office when she requested that the court review CAFTA April 27, she listed workers’ rights, health benefits, intellectual property and the protection of minority groups as areas she sees as problematic or not included in the trade pact.

Casa Presidencial issued a statement Friday in response to the matter, saying it “respects” Quesada’s right to ask the court to review CAFTA and “hopes this doesn’t affect the tentative date announced by the TSE” for the national referendum.

-Tico Times