Costa Rica: Organizations call for respect for the independence of the Judicial Power
San José, October 01, 2024. The undersigned organizations express their deep concern at the attacks on the independence of the Judiciary by the Executive Branch in the context of the investigation undertaken by the Attorney General’s Office for the “Barrenador case” and make an urgent call for the respect of the division of powers and the protection of the fundamental democratic principles enshrined in Article 9 of the Constitution.
The principle of judicial independence is contemplated in Article 8.1 of the American Convention on Human Rights and constitutes one of the basic pillars of the democratic system, for which the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) has recalled on numerous occasions the obligation of the States to guarantee the autonomy of the Judiciary and avoid undue interference by other public or factual powers.
The reaction of the Executive Branch to the investigation of a possible case of corruption encourages political violence and social polarization, erodes confidence in public institutions and jeopardizes peaceful coexistence. If the Executive Branch considers that the judicial instances have acted in an irregular manner, it should file the respective complaint to be investigated through the legal mechanisms provided for in the legal system.
In Central America we observe worrisome setbacks in the guarantee of judicial independence, starting this cycle with the narrative delegitimization and persecution of justice operators -prosecutors and judges- who investigate and judge possible corruption cases. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has pointed out that “the greatest current danger for democracies in the region is not an abrupt breakdown of constitutional order, but a gradual erosion of democratic safeguards that can lead to an authoritarian regime, even if it is elected through popular elections”.
It is crucial that political and social actors assume their responsibility by leaving aside polarizing rhetoric and promote an environment of respect among public authorities and a constructive dialogue that allows progress in the country’s development goals.
We urge the population to actively monitor and defend the independence of their institutions, understanding that a robust, impartial and pressure-free Judiciary is essential for the effective protection of their rights. The undersigned organizations reiterate their commitment to the defense of judicial independence and prosecutorial autonomy as a cornerstone of democracy.
- Asociación Americana de Juristas
- Asociación Costarricense de la Judicatura ACOJUD
- Asociación Nacional de Empleados Judiciales (Anejud)
- Asociación Nacional de Profesionales del Poder Judicial (ANPROJUD)
- Asociación de Psicólogos Judiciales APSIPJUD
- Asociación Feminista La Corriente
- Asociación MANU
- Asociación Sindical Costarricense de Trabajadores de Telecomunicaciones y Electricidad ACOTEL
- Asociación para el Desarrollo de la Cultura y el Ambiente
- Asociación Agroindustrial del Caribe Sur
- Asociación Nacional de Técnicos y Trabajadores de la Energía y las Comunicaciones ANTTEC
- Cátedra de Centroamérica de la Universidad de Costa Rica
- Centro por la Justicia y el Derecho Internacional CEJIL
- Costa Rica Íntegra CRI
- Centró Feminista de Información y Acción , CEFEMINA
- Colectiva por el Derecho a Decidir
- Colectiva Profesionales para la Ciudadanía
- Colegio de Trabajadores Sociales de Costa Rica
- Centró Feminista de Información y Acción , CEFEMINA
- Colectiva por el Derecho a Decidir
- Comisión de Crimen Organizado y Seguridad del Colegio de Abogados y Abogadas
- Colegio de abogados y abogadas de Costa Rica
- Cooperativa Sulá Batsú
- Defensa de Niñas y Niños – Internacional, DNI Costa Rica
- Decanato, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Universidad de Costa Rica
- Federación Latinoamericana de Fiscales
- Federación Latinoamericana de Magistrados (FLAM)
- Feministas Picos Rojos CR
- Frente Ecologista de Cipreses
- Frente Nacional por la Seguridad Social FRENASS
- Foro por los Derecha de las Personas con Discapacidad
- Instituto Victimología de Costa Rica
- Madre Tierra por el desarrollo sostenible y sustentable
- Mesa Nacional de Diálogo
- Movimiento Unidos por la CCSS
- Movimiento social por una respuesta integral al VIH
- Movimiento Cahuita Unida
- Organización Interseccional pro Derechos Humanos Costa Rica
- Observatorio Medios de Comunicación y género GEMA
- Plataforma de incidencia comunitaria para el VIH
- Plataforma de Organizaciones Basadas en la Fe OBF Costa Rica/OBF Regional/
- Sindicato de trabajadores de la salud STRAS
- Sindicato de Trabajadores y Trabajadoras del Poder Judicial
- SINAREDES
- Unidos por el agua
- Unidos por la CCSS