This is the assessment of the U.S. Embassy’s business manager on the reform of the Judicial Career Act that ceases to retire for judges over 60 years of age.
“From our position we are looking very closely because we consider that this step, unfortunately is another step that is really detrimental to the separation of powers in this country and especially with the judicial system that is so important,” said Jean Manes, in charge of business at the U.S. Embassy on the reform of the Judicial Career Act passed this week by pro-government MPs and their allies.
The amendment requires the removal of judges and magistrates over 60 years of age and with more than 30 years of service in the judiciary.
As a further step affecting the separation of powers in the country, so described the Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in El Salvador, Jean Manes, the recent reform of the Law on the Judicial Career. The diplomat urged to “study the consequences” and “recognize the importance of the experience.”
You can read: Judges condemn reforms approved by the bureaucracy that strike at judicial independence
Although he clarified that it is an internal matter of the country, Manes argued that one should “recognize the importance of the experience and wisdom he has over the years.”
He added that “every country wants judges who are enforcing the law without thinking about politics, we want judges who are enforcing the law in an impartial manner.”
He argued that “we don’t want judges who are thinking once or twice that they will change their mind in a case because they are afraid it may be because of their decision that they are against any politician or politician in a country they can leave or fire. of his office simply because he disagrees with the current government of any country. “
Earlier assessments were given by U.S. diplomats in the Salvadoran Naval Force, but he later wrote on his Twitter account: “We are concerned about reforms to the Judicial Care and Prosecution Act. An independent judicial system and the separation of powers are vital to democracy. “
He added that “experience, deep knowledge and wisdom are essential in law enforcement and other careers. in the judicial system “.
The U.S. Department of State’s Western Hemisphere Affairs Office also reacted to reforms passed by pro-government deputies in the Judicial and Prosecution Act.
“We see this measure as another step that undermines judicial independence in El Salvador,” reads part of a tweet he posted in response to Manes’ statement.
Photo: Illustrative and non-commercial image / twitter.com / WHAAsstSecty / status / 1433503654674374658
A group of judges and magistrates on Wednesday condemned the blow of officialdom to the judiciary, considering that these reforms will facilitate a judicial purge and greater control of the executive over this state body.
Read also: Rector of the UCA, on reforms in the Judicial Career: “The only interest he has is that the judges act to please the government”
“It’s worth studying the consequences of that and also who is going to decide the exception and what criteria they’re going to use to make those decisions, but that really applies in all the countries that we need to be careful with the decisions and the consequences. “Manes said.
He has also referred to the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) refusal to extradite gang leaders to the United States so that they can face justice for their crimes committed in this American nation.
“We will continue to fight to overcome that every person is paying for their crimes and insist that they are sending these people to face justice in the United States,” Manes said.
Regarding the request for extradition of gang leaders denied by the Supreme Court of Justice, the US official noted that Washington “will insist that El Salvador send these people to face justice in the United States.”
Last week it became known that the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) had rejected the extradition request of the gang leader, Edwin Maurici Rodríguez Morales, called “Manicomi”, who is being sued by an American court of justice for to murder a Salvadoran.
It was also learned that the CSJ erased the debate that was generated among the 15 magistrates in the Full Court to curb the extradition of two gangs to the United States.
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