City Bar Statement Expressing Concern about the Proposal to Reform the Mexican Judiciary

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In a new report, the New York City Bar Association expressed serious concern about a proposal by outgoing Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to overhaul Mexico’s judicial selection process. The reform “can have the adverse effect of seriously harming the independence of Mexico’s judiciary,” the statement says. 

The report outlines President López Obrador’s history of attacks on the independence of Mexico’s judiciary, reviews the substance of his proposed changes, and “urges President López Obrador and President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum to recognize the importance of an independent judiciary for the rule of law and to respect judicial independence consistent with international law and Mexico’s international commitments.”  

“The current proposal carries risks that could undermine the impartiality and effectiveness of the judiciary,” the statement says.  

“The City Bar strongly urges the Mexican government to carefully consider all concerns raised by [these] civic organizations—including civil society, academia, and national and international experts, like the UN Special Rapporteur—and hold a broad and transparent debate process weighing the merits of changes to the judiciary,” states the report. 

The City Bar’s Inter-American Affairs Committee and Task Force on the Independence of Lawyers and Judges also signed on to the statement.

Read the full report in English here:

Statement expressing concern about the proposal to reform the Mexican Judiciary