Provisional status in Venezuelan judiciary worries the UN

[naaman fletcher]

The fact that more 50% of judges and 100% of public prosecutors and defenders may be removed any minute now, right away, by their superiors, that is, by the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ), the Attorney General and the Ombudsman, respectively, is a matter of concern for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Such is the conclusion upon a review of a report submitted by South African Navanethem Pillay to the UN Human Rights Council as part of the Universal Periodic Review. Venezuela will be subject to this assessment next October in order to ascertain compliance with fundamental rights and liberties.

In the report, Pillay said that she received 10 complaints in reference to the provisional nature prevailing in the Venezuelan judiciary and underscored the remarks of the organizations which are party to the UN system.

"The temporary character of judges is a constraint and might condition their independence. Institutional and material strengthening of the system of justice administration and removal of the provisional nature in the appointment of judges, as measures to reinforce court independence is a challenge for the State."


http://www.eluniversal.com/2011/08/10/provisional-status-in-venezuelan-judiciary-worries-the-un.shtml