Judicial elections in Mexico: Catholic Church indicates inconsistencies and confusion

The Catholic Church in Mexico warned that the judicial elections held on Sunday, June 1 in the country were marked by “inconsistencies and confusion, the result of an accelerated and non -consensual process that caused concern and discouragement”.

These elections are derived from the recent constitutional reform of the Judiciary, promoted by former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador and his Morena party. For the first time in history, citizens directly elected ministers (judges) of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN), magistrates of the Electoral Court, the Court of Judicial Discipline and District Judges. In total 881 federal charges and around 1,800 in local judicial powers.

According to Preliminary data From the National Electoral Institute (INE) to June 3, citizen participation barely reached 12.6% of the more than 100 million Mexicans with the right to vote.

Although the official results have not yet been announced, they are emerging as the most voted for the SCJN Lenia Batres, acting minister, and Hugo Aguilar, a mixtec lawyer. Both are ideologically linked to former President López Obrador and current President Claudia Sheinbaum, also from the Morena political party.

“Obvious inconsistencies and confusion”

In a statement published this June 3, the Mexican Episcopate Conference (CEM) acknowledged that “any effort to achieve full access to justice, especially for the weakest, will always be welcome.”

However, the bishops expressed concern to affirm that “together with many citizens we saw with concern the approval of the judicial reform and the application of it to choose ministers, magistrates and judges since there were evident inconsistencies and confusion, the result of an accelerated and non -consensual process that caused concern and discouragement.”

In reference to the low citizen participation, they pointed out that the decision of many Mexicans not to participate “perhaps this discouragement; it is a message that in a democratic exercise cannot be overlooked and that political actors will have to weigh with maturity, inclusion and political vision, to correct what is necessary”.

The deficiency of the judicial system in Mexico has been indicated by various international organizations.

In a report of United Nations Human Rights, The institution described the Mexican criminal justice system as “extremely ineffective.” According to the organization, in Mexico “the prosecutors do not effectively investigate the majority of crimes and violations of human rights, including the abuses committed by State agents and serious crimes such as homicide and forced disappearances.”

Bishops ask for a “qualified and autonomous justice system”

In the same message, the bishops underlined the need to build “a qualified and autonomous justice system” and, for this, they called on the national unity of all Mexicans.

Prelates also encouraged all Mexicans, whether they have voted or not, that they must join to “build encounter, reconciliation and peace that renew our hope.”

The elected judges, the bishops asked them to “assume with honesty, professionalism, independence and love of Mexico their delicate mission of imparting justice applying the law impartially.”

They also urged the authorities to act “with justice and integrity respecting the autonomy of each power and strengthening the rule of law”, pointing out that the country needs people “committed to building a fairer and more peaceful Mexico, where everyone finds the possibility of a decent life; where justice and peace can palpate every day with greater livelihood.”

Finally, they invited Mexicans to inspire our Lady of Guadalupe, who is “living testimony that Mexico can walk together, in peace, respecting us in our differences and building together a Mexico that is land of hope for all.”