President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo expressed her surprise at the speed with which the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) scheduled a hearing to address the controversial judicial reform that establishes the popular election of judges, magistrates, and members of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation in Mexico. In her morning conference from the National Palace, Sheinbaum questioned this procedure, comparing it to cases that take years to be addressed by the IACHR.
The reform, enacted by former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador, has generated controversy and has been criticized by the National Association of Circuit Magistrates and District Judges of the Federal Judiciary (Jufed) and other civic organizations. Judges and workers of the Judiciary argue that this initiative undermines their rights by affecting the judicial career and allowing Executive influence in justice by promoting candidates.
In response to the concerns raised, Sheinbaum defended the reform, highlighting that human rights are not being violated and emphasizing the country's sovereignty to carry out constitutional reforms according to the will of the Mexican people. The president asserted that the reform will promote greater justice and access to it for the population.
Despite the legal resources presented, including injunctions and judicial rulings against the reform, the Government dismissed these arguments by stating that it was approved by the constitutional majority required in Congress. In light of the opposition's stance, Sheinbaum reiterated that the reform is constitutional and that elections for the position of judges will be a reality in 2025, in accordance with the decision made by the Mexican people.
Sheinbaum's criticism of the speed with which the IACHR hearing was called to address the judicial reform seeks to generate reflection on the interest shown in this issue and to question the procedures followed in this particular case.
