The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, warned this Monday that the new judicial reform in Mexico can “seriously undermine” the independence of the justice system and its ability to effectively defend the rule of law.
“I remain concerned about judicial reform – I have made this very clear – because we fear that some of the provisions that currently exist risk seriously undermining the independence of the judiciary, but also its ability to effectively uphold the rule of law,” he said. Türk in the context of the press conference prior to Human Rights Day.
In that sense, according to a statement released in Mexico, the official stated that he has asked those responsible for decision-making to ensure the independence of the Judiciary and guarantee that those who present their candidacies for next June’s elections are “people of integrity and suitable, with the appropriate training and qualifications.”
Likewise, he expressed his concern about the application of informal preventive detention, saying that this should not be the “response in these types of circumstances.”
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“This has been a concern not only in Mexico, but also in many other situations. In fact, we need almost the opposite, we need to move away from incarceration policies more generally,” he emphasized.
Recognizes other Sheinbaum reforms
Türk also recognized the reforms approved by President Claudia Sheinbaum on women’s rights, gender equality and the rights of indigenous and Afro-Mexican peoples.
The judicial reform adopted in September in Mexico includes elements such as the popular election of judges, the early termination of judicial terms or the creation of a Judicial Disciplinary Court with broad powers.
The constitutional reform to expand preventive detention was approved earlier this month in Congress and adds crimes such as extortion, smuggling and certain types of drug-related crimes to the list of charges in which preventive detention is automatic.
With information from EFE
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