Latest news with #OEJ
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mexico's judicial reform raises concerns over judicial independence
May 30 (UPI) -- Nearly 100 million Mexicans are set to take part in an unprecedented election on June 1 that will reshape the country's judiciary. Voters will elect 881 judicial officials, including Supreme Court justices, electoral magistrates, district judges and circuit court magistrates, under a sweeping reform originally pushed by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and backed by current President Claudia Sheinbaum. Initially presented in 2014 as a step toward democratizing justice and combating corruption, the reform has drawn mounting criticism from legal experts, academics and civil society organizations. Many warn it could erode judicial independence, increase political interference, and weaken the rule of law. An analysis by Stanford Law School's Rule of Law Impact Lab and the Mexican Bar Association warns that electing judges by popular vote compromises their independence and impartiality by aligning judicial decisions with public opinion rather than strictly with the law. It also highlights the risk that judicial rulings will be influenced by judicial election campaign donors. Academics, legal experts and civil society organizations have raised concerns about the complexity of the electoral process, highlighting several key issues. First, the proposed reform has been criticized for a lack of clear criteria to assess candidates' qualifications. Candidates are only required to hold a law degree, have at least five years of professional experience, no criminal record, and a good reputation. Candidates are also asked to submit a legal essay and letters of recommendation. Studies show that the selected candidates have, on average, 20 fewer years of experience than the judges they are replacing under the reform. Many of the candidates also come from outside the judiciary and lack the training and background needed to carry out judicial duties effectively. Second, voters in Mexico have received limited information despite the complexity of the process, which includes six ballots and more than 7,000 candidates competing for 2,600 local and federal judicial seats. The Judicial Electoral Observatory, or OEJ, has warned that voters are not receiving adequate information, compromising electoral fairness. One factor is that the National Electoral Institute, or INE, received 52% less funding than it requested, limiting its ability to provide outreach and education. The OEJ also criticized the ballot design and inconsistent selection standards across the evaluation committees, saying these issues undermine the legitimacy of the process and make it difficult for voters to make informed choices. Third, the judicial reform has raised serious concerns about the influence of political actors and power groups in the process. The complexity of the changes and the short, eight-month timeline to organize the election may have created openings for political parties to assert control in parts of the country. Organizations including México Evalúa, the Center for Research and Teaching in Economics, or CIDE, and the National Autonomous University of Mexico, or UNAM, have warned that the system could allow political, economic or criminal interests to infiltrate the judiciary, especially in regions where organized crime is strong. Many of the candidates have ties to the ruling party, said Luis F. Fernández, executive director of Practica: Laboratorio para la Democracia, in an interview with CNN en Español. "We've identified others linked to the country's 10 wealthiest businessmen, and more than 15 candidates connected to drug trafficking," he said. The popular election of judges is rare internationally and, where it exists, is usually limited to local or mid-level courts. In most democratic countries, judges are appointed by technical committees, the judiciary or the executive branch with legislative approval. The goal is to preserve judicial independence and prevent politicization. Mexico's proposed model -- a direct, large-scale, nationwide election of judges at all levels, including the Supreme Court -- is unprecedented.
Miami Herald
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Mexico's judicial reform raises concerns over judicial independence
May 30 (UPI) -- Nearly 100 million Mexicans are set to take part in an unprecedented election on June 1 that will reshape the country's judiciary. Voters will elect 881 judicial officials, including Supreme Court justices, electoral magistrates, district judges and circuit court magistrates, under a sweeping reform originally pushed by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and backed by current President Claudia Sheinbaum. Initially presented in 2014 as a step toward democratizing justice and combating corruption, the reform has drawn mounting criticism from legal experts, academics and civil society organizations. Many warn it could erode judicial independence, increase political interference, and weaken the rule of law. An analysis by Stanford Law School's Rule of Law Impact Lab and the Mexican Bar Association warns that electing judges by popular vote compromises their independence and impartiality by aligning judicial decisions with public opinion rather than strictly with the law. It also highlights the risk that judicial rulings will be influenced by judicial election campaign donors. Academics, legal experts and civil society organizations have raised concerns about the complexity of the electoral process, highlighting several key issues. First, the proposed reform has been criticized for a lack of clear criteria to assess candidates' qualifications. Candidates are only required to hold a law degree, have at least five years of professional experience, no criminal record, and a good reputation. Candidates are also asked to submit a legal essay and letters of recommendation. Studies show that the selected candidates have, on average, 20 fewer years of experience than the judges they are replacing under the reform. Many of the candidates also come from outside the judiciary and lack the training and background needed to carry out judicial duties effectively. Second, voters in Mexico have received limited information despite the complexity of the process, which includes six ballots and more than 7,000 candidates competing for 2,600 local and federal judicial seats. The Judicial Electoral Observatory, or OEJ, has warned that voters are not receiving adequate information, compromising electoral fairness. One factor is that the National Electoral Institute, or INE, received 52% less funding than it requested, limiting its ability to provide outreach and education. The OEJ also criticized the ballot design and inconsistent selection standards across the evaluation committees, saying these issues undermine the legitimacy of the process and make it difficult for voters to make informed choices. Third, the judicial reform has raised serious concerns about the influence of political actors and power groups in the process. The complexity of the changes and the short, eight-month timeline to organize the election may have created openings for political parties to assert control in parts of the country. Organizations including México Evalúa, the Center for Research and Teaching in Economics, or CIDE, and the National Autonomous University of Mexico, or UNAM, have warned that the system could allow political, economic or criminal interests to infiltrate the judiciary, especially in regions where organized crime is strong. Many of the candidates have ties to the ruling party, said Luis F. Fernández, executive director of Practica: Laboratorio para la Democracia, in an interview with CNN en Español. 'We've identified others linked to the country's 10 wealthiest businessmen, and more than 15 candidates connected to drug trafficking,' he said. The popular election of judges is rare internationally and, where it exists, is usually limited to local or mid-level courts. In most democratic countries, judges are appointed by technical committees, the judiciary or the executive branch with legislative approval. The goal is to preserve judicial independence and prevent politicization. Mexico's proposed model -- a direct, large-scale, nationwide election of judges at all levels, including the Supreme Court -- is unprecedented. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
UPI
30-05-2025
- Politics
- UPI
Mexico's judicial reform raises concerns over judicial independence
May 30 (UPI) -- Nearly 100 million Mexicans are set to take part in an unprecedented election on June 1 that will reshape the country's judiciary. Voters will elect 881 judicial officials, including Supreme Court justices, electoral magistrates, district judges and circuit court magistrates, under a sweeping reform originally pushed by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and backed by current President Claudia Sheinbaum. Initially presented in 2014 as a step toward democratizing justice and combating corruption, the reform has drawn mounting criticism from legal experts, academics and civil society organizations. Many warn it could erode judicial independence, increase political interference, and weaken the rule of law. An analysis by Stanford Law School's Rule of Law Impact Lab and the Mexican Bar Association warns that electing judges by popular vote compromises their independence and impartiality by aligning judicial decisions with public opinion rather than strictly with the law. It also highlights the risk that judicial rulings will be influenced by judicial election campaign donors. Academics, legal experts and civil society organizations have raised concerns about the complexity of the electoral process, highlighting several key issues. First, the proposed reform has been criticized for a lack of clear criteria to assess candidates' qualifications. Candidates are only required to hold a law degree, have at least five years of professional experience, no criminal record, and a good reputation. Candidates are also asked to submit a legal essay and letters of recommendation. Studies show that the selected candidates have, on average, 20 fewer years of experience than the judges they are replacing under the reform. Many of the candidates also come from outside the judiciary and lack the training and background needed to carry out judicial duties effectively. Second, voters in Mexico have received limited information despite the complexity of the process, which includes six ballots and more than 7,000 candidates competing for 2,600 local and federal judicial seats. The Judicial Electoral Observatory, or OEJ, has warned that voters are not receiving adequate information, compromising electoral fairness. One factor is that the National Electoral Institute, or INE, received 52% less funding than it requested, limiting its ability to provide outreach and education. The OEJ also criticized the ballot design and inconsistent selection standards across the evaluation committees, saying these issues undermine the legitimacy of the process and make it difficult for voters to make informed choices. Third, the judicial reform has raised serious concerns about the influence of political actors and power groups in the process. The complexity of the changes and the short, eight-month timeline to organize the election may have created openings for political parties to assert control in parts of the country. Organizations including México Evalúa, the Center for Research and Teaching in Economics, or CIDE, and the National Autonomous University of Mexico, or UNAM, have warned that the system could allow political, economic or criminal interests to infiltrate the judiciary, especially in regions where organized crime is strong. Many of the candidates have ties to the ruling party, said Luis F. Fernández, executive director of Practica: Laboratorio para la Democracia, in an interview with CNN en Español. "We've identified others linked to the country's 10 wealthiest businessmen, and more than 15 candidates connected to drug trafficking," he said. The popular election of judges is rare internationally and, where it exists, is usually limited to local or mid-level courts. In most democratic countries, judges are appointed by technical committees, the judiciary or the executive branch with legislative approval. The goal is to preserve judicial independence and prevent politicization. Mexico's proposed model -- a direct, large-scale, nationwide election of judges at all levels, including the Supreme Court -- is unprecedented.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bondi scraps Biden-era environmental justice enforcement policy
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote in a memo Wednesday that the Justice Department will reverse a Biden-era directive to prioritize enforcement of environmental laws in disadvantaged and low-income communities. Bondi's predecessor, Merrick Garland, issued guidance in 2022 directing the department to enforce environmental laws with emphasis on communities that have historically been underserved by such enforcement, including those that are low-income and majority racial minority. On Wednesday, Bondi, who was confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday, rescinded Garland's memo, along with any similar guidance for U.S. attorneys 'to ensure that the Department engages in the even-handed administration of justice.' Garland's original directive was accompanied by the creation of the Justice Department's Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ), which The Washington Post reported was disbanded after Trump's inauguration. The OEJ website now redirects to an error message. The Hill has reached out to the Justice Department for comment. The Trump administration has taken aim at a number of Biden-era climate and environmental policies, largely through the Interior Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Since taking office, Trump has ordered the withdrawal of the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, as he did during his first term, and EPA disbursement of grants under the Inflation Reduction Act has been halted. Newly confirmed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, following Trump's declaration of an 'energy emergency' on Inauguration Day, this week directed the Interior Department to identify legal and regulatory venues to speed up permitting and development of energy on federal lands and waters. The move also follows a number of actions the administration has taken to dismantle programs and offices it perceives as connected to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and federal initiatives to address racial disparities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
06-02-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Bondi scraps Biden-era environmental justice enforcement policy
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote in a memo Wednesday that the Justice Department will reverse a Biden-era directive to prioritize enforcement of environmental laws in disadvantaged and low-income communities. Bondi's predecessor, Merrick Garland, issued guidance in 2022 directing the department to enforce environmental laws with emphasis on communities that have historically been underserved by such enforcement, including those that are low-income and majority racial minority. On Wednesday, Bondi, who was confirmed by the Senate Tuesday, rescinded Garland's memo, along with any similar guidance for U.S. attorneys 'to ensure that the Department engages in the even-handed administration of justice.' Garland's original directive was accompanied by the creation of the Justice Department's Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ), which The Washington Post reported was disbanded after Trump's inauguration. The OEJ website now redirects to an error message. The Hill has reached out to the Justice Department for comment. The Trump administration has taken aim at a number of Biden-era climate and environmental policies, largely through the Interior Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Since taking office, Trump has ordered the withdrawal of the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement, as he did during his first term, and EPA disbursement of grants under the Inflation Reduction Act has been halted. Newly confirmed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, following Trump's declaration of an 'energy emergency' on Inauguration Day, this week directed the Interior Department to identify legal and regulatory venues to speed up permitting and development of energy on federal lands and waters. The move also follows a number of actions the administration has taken to dismantle programs and offices it perceives as connected to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts and federal initiatives to address racial disparities.
