Peru: the National Junta of Justice, an independent body, in the hot seat
In Peru, where a new Prime Minister was inaugurated yesterday Wednesday, Congress must decide this Thursday the fate of the National Junta of Justice with, at stake, the dismissal of its seven magistrates.
The supreme, independent body of the judicial system is in danger.
Yesterday, a few hundred people mobilized in Lima, in the capital.
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Peru, Wednesday March 6, 2024, the new Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzén was inaugurated in the presence of Dina Boluarte, the president.
His predecessor Alberto Otárola, implicated in a corruption affair, resigned on Tuesday.
AFP - MELINA MEJIA
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The President of
Peru
, Dina Boluarte on Wednesday named center-right diplomat Gustavo Adrianzén as new Prime Minister, replacing
Alberto Otarola who resigned Tuesday
after the opening of an investigation for influence peddling.
Gustavo Adrianzén, a 57-year-old lawyer, had been Peru's representative to the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington.
He also held the Justice portfolio in the government of former President Ollanta Humala (2011-2016), between April and October 2015.
Meanwhile, in Lima, in front of the courthouse, demonstrators chanted “
The mafia congress does not represent us
,” reports our correspondent in Lima,
Juliette Chaignon
.
For several months now, deputies, mainly from the right and far-right, have been increasing their power by placing their pawns in various judicial and state institutions.
Congressional “Investigation” of the JNJ
MPs must indeed decide this Thursday on the future of the most important judicial body in the country, which appoints all magistrates and controls elections.
On September 11, the Peruvian Congress decided to open a “summary investigation”, according to the official terms, against the seven members of the National Junta of Justice (JNJ), an independent body of the judiciary.
A key body also of Peruvian institutions since it appoints judges and prosecutors but also the directors of the body responsible for organizing elections.
“
Many politicians are being prosecuted for corruption or cases linked to illegal mining and deforestation
,” accuses Jennie Dador, secretary of the National Coordination of Human Rights.
It is therefore very important for them to control the appointment of judges and prosecutors.
Obviously to maintain their impunity!
»
For the human rights associations mobilized, alongside parties of the left and the center, it is democracy that is in danger.
“
If they really manage to do that, there would no longer be a separation of powers
,” continues Jennie Dador.
Peruvian democracy in danger?
The demonstrators also denounce the increasing power of Congress.
“
It is considered that there is a Congressional dictatorship.
He has the power to do and undo whatever he wants, in full view of the citizens, who are demobilized
,” regrets Ana, a demonstrator.
Peruvians exhausted after seven years of uninterrupted political crises – six presidents have followed one another in seven years – and the
violent repression
of the protest movement at the end of 2022 - beginning of 2023.
Read alsoPeru: President Boluarte targeted by a complaint to Congress for the death of demonstrators
#PRONUNCIAMIENTO: La Conferencia Episcopal Peruana sends a message to the members of the @congresoperu so that they heard through the dialogue a constitutional and democratic validity that requires that the JNJ already function and fulfill the defects that correspond to it.
pic.twitter.com/AGiOg7P1jf
— Junta Nacional de Justicia (@JNJPeru) March 7, 2024
In recent days, the UN High Commission for Human Rights and two American Democratic senators have also warned of the risks of weakening Peruvian democracy.
Before the vote of the youth in the @congresoperu, @UNHumanRights will reiterate its serious concern for the actions that could affect the independence of the JNJ.
The JNJ "is a central actor to guarantee judicial independence, the separation of powers and the state of derecho".
https://t.co/niYlThYVt3
— Junta Nacional de Justicia (@JNJPeru) March 5, 2024
(and with agencies)
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