Mexican Judicial Reform Sparks International Controversy: UIM Expels Conatrib

The National Association of Circuit Court Judges and District Judges of the Federal Judicial Branch (JUFED) reported that the International Association of Judges (UIM) expelled the National Commission of Superior Courts of Justice of Mexico (Conatrib) during its annual meeting.

According to a statement released by JUFED on October 19th, the decision was made after the UIM determined that Conatrib failed to meet international standards related to judicial independence, institutional independence, and non-partisanship.

The Mexican organization linked the resolution to Conatrib’s endorsement of the Judicial Power Reform and, specifically, the model of

JUFED stated in the document that this model affects principles that, from its perspective, should govern the jurisdictional function.

“The model of popular election of judges and magistrates, promoted by the political power, undermines the essence of the jurisdictional function, which must be strictly based on merit, capacity, and judicial career,” the association noted.

The statement added that JUFED had previously questioned organizations that supported the implementation of the reform and considered that the UIM’s resolution confirms the warnings it had issued during that process.

The association also affirmed that judicial independence must be maintained as a guarantee for court decisions to be made without external pressure.

“Judicial independence is not a privilege of those who judge, but the only effective guarantee for citizens to have impartial courts free from political mandates,” it stated.

JUFED’s document does not include the full resolution of the International Association of Judges nor does it detail the procedure followed for Conatrib’s expulsion. It also does not incorporate a statement from Conatrib regarding the decision.

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