Ibero-American Union of Lawyers criticizes judicial reform

Mexico City. The disappearance of the Autonomous Constitutional Bodies and the reform of the Federal Judicial Branch as proposed by the Constitutional Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies will cause irreparable damage to Mexican democratic life and to the future and legal viability of the country, stated the Ibero-American Union of Colleges and Associations of Lawyers (UIBA).

In a statement, he called for respect, constitutional consistency, and the preservation of democratic values ​​and the rule of law in Mexico, as a guarantee of true citizen rights.

They recalled that last May, during the meeting of the Council of Delegates and the Ordinary Annual Assembly of the UIBA, they reported on the implicated situation that Mexico is experiencing due to the “violating attack” of the constitutional balance on autonomous institutions and organizations, paralyzing them or making them disappear; as well as the initiative of reform so that the judges who are members of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation, Magistrates and Federal and local Judges are massively dismissed, so that the vacant positions are determined by popular vote.

It declared that the sovereign right of all States to modify or create new mechanisms for the appointment of judges, as well as the structure and functioning of the Judiciary, must respect, correspond to and adjust to the framework of the current constitutional legal principles and within the parameters established by the American Convention on Human Rights (Pact of San José), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Basic Principles Relating to the Independence of the Judiciary of the United Nations, the Balance of Powers and the Prevalence of the Rule of Law.

In this regard, UIBA expressed its solidarity with the judges and operators of the justice system who have expressed their disagreement with the initiative to reform the Judiciary, initiating an indefinite work stoppage in defense of the judicial career.

He regretted and rejected the criticism, accusations and generic attacks by the Federal Executive Branch and some members of the Legislative Branch against the members of the PJF. Therefore, he urged to maintain a system of appointment and permanence of members of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation, Magistrates and Judges that guarantees independence, freedom, professionalism, judicial career and balance between powers.

In addition, it fully adhered to the statements and institutional positions issued in this regard by the Mexican Bar Association, the National Association of Corporate Lawyers and the Illustrious and National Bar Association of Mexico, and the joint statement issued on August 19, 2024 with the General Council of the Mexican Bar Association.

“The Ibero-American legal profession will remain attentive and observant of future events and will act accordingly – even before international organizations – with the opinions, statements and recommendations it considers pertinent.”