According to the PDP President, Héctor Ferrer, the constant abuses committed by Gov. Fortuño, and the New Progressive Party controlled legislature, has forced them to form a commission to study and evaluate the matter.
     “We have all been witnesses to the way this government, and the legislature it controls, has treated the minorities and other sectors of society. That’s why we want to study the matter further,” Ferrer said.
     The PDP lawmaker announced the establishment of a permanent commission comprised by four members of the House of Representatives and four Senators.
     The House members are Reps. Jorge Colberg Toro, Carlos "Charlie" Hernández, Brenda López and Jaime Perelló. The Senate members are Sens. Eder Orítiz, Cirilo Tirado, Sila M. González and Jorge Suárez.
     The commission has been as the "Denouncement and Restitution of Civil Rights Committee". They will commence their work immediately.
     
     Among the allegations of abuse made by Ferrer were the elimination of obligatory membership to the Bar Association and the Medical Surgeons' Board, modification of the Special Communities programs which allows mayors to expropriate lands without requesting a legislative permit and the reorganization of the University of Puerto Rico budget.
     The leader also mentioned the “politically-motivated” takeover of the Supreme Court as another example of civil rights violations.
     “We are going to review all legislation approved by the Senate and House and after that we will send the information to the local, federal and international civil rights organizations so they know what is really happening here,” Ferrer said.
     He said that there have been “hundreds” of complaints filed with the Civil Rights Commission of Puerto Rico which merit formal investigation by that body and others.
     “Just last night, a person called me saying that he was fired by this administration and was notified that he would not receive his Christmas bonus. That’s an abuse we will refer to the Commission,” Ferrer said.
     Sen. Alejandro García Padilla linked the possible civil rights abuse to the lack of genuine public works. “This government tries to conceal its lack of work with repressive actions. Everyone knows about the lack of employment, the higher crime rate and the lack of education. That’s why they are oppressive,” García Padilla said.
     The PDP lawmaker and rumored gubernatorial candidate compared the Fortuño-lead government to that of a school bully who because he can’t get good grades, decides to pick on those who do.
     “When we win in 2012, the first thing we are going to do is submit legislation to rollback all the bills and resolutions approved by this legislature that are abusive in nature,” Ferrer said.
     
     The PDP leader said that he would take the findings of the committee, first to the local organizations that deals with civil and human right abuses, then to federal entities such as the American Civil Liberties Union, and then to other international forums such as the United Nations Human Rights Commission.