BWI expresses concern over El Salvador’s removal of judges, Attorney General
In a motion on 1 May, the country’s newly-elected legislative body voted to remove the five judges from the Supreme Court's constitutional chamber. The lawmakers, majority of whom are allied with President Nayib Bukele, said that the magistrates deter the president’s capacity to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
BWI Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Representative Nilton Freitas said that the magistrates’ removal violated the country’s constitution and principle of checks and balances.
“We join the country’s trade unions and workers in expressing our serious concerns regarding this disturbing political development. We urge the government of President Bukele to respect the country’s constitution and preserve the institutional independence of the judiciary,” Freitas said.
The ouster of the magistrates drew concerns and wide condemnation from the international community led by The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the Organisation of American States and the U.N. Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges.