Mexican judges say judicial reform violated human rights

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Fourteen current and former federal judges in Mexico filed a petition to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights calling for “reparation for human rights violations” that they say were caused by the country’s recent overhaul of the judicial system, a group representing the judges said in a statement on Tuesday.

CONTEXT

The sweeping judicial reform, voted into the country’s constitution in September, marked a historic shakeup for Mexico’s courts at every level. It requires voters to head to the polls to elect all judges, first in elections next month and then again in 2027.

Critics say the reform threatens the judiciary’s political independence, blurring the separation of powers and exposing it to the influence of outside forces like organized crime.

WHY IT MATTERS

The commission, an autonomous arm of the Organization of American States, would not be able to repeal the reform, but its decisions are symbolically important.

Criticism of the reform, which is supported by President Claudia Sheinbaum, comes at a delicate time for her administration as it navigates trade tensions with Washington. 

Sheinbaum’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the petition, but her government has repeatedly argued the reform is necessary to root out corruption within the judiciary and to make it more democratic. 

KEY QUOTES

“This petition offers an opportunity for the Inter-American System to address alleged violations of judicial independence in Mexico and broader questions regarding judicial reform processes in the region,” said Jaime Chavez Alor, associate executive director of the Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice, which filed the petition in representation of the judges. 

“Although it appears neutral, the reform constitutes a mechanism for politicizing and capturing the judiciary,” the petition states.

(Reporting by Brendan O’Boyle in Mexico City; Editing by Matthew Lewis)