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### 55,000 Workers from Mexico’s Federal Judicial Branch Begin Strike; Judges and Magistrates to Decide on Participation
At the stroke of midnight on August 19, 2024, approximately 55,000 workers from Mexico’s Federal Judicial Branch (PJF) initiated a nationwide labor strike in response to a judicial reform proposed by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and sent to the Congress on February 5 of the same year.
Reports from various national and local media confirm that all Federal Judicial Branches organized a work stoppage. In Mexico City, for instance, the main offices of the Federal Judicial Council (CJF) in San Lázaro were locked with chains and padlocks.
“To the Congress of the Union and the people of Mexico. Today, more than ever, Mexico needs us united […] Please excuse the inconvenience, we are defending Mexico from authoritarian abuses,” stated organizations like Circuitos Unidos-Trabajadores del Poder Judicial de la Federación, Movimiento de Trabajadores del Poder Judicial de la Federación, Colegio de Secretarios y Actuarios de la Judicatura Federal, A.C., Justicia Independiente, Frente Unido por la Independencia Judicial, and Frente Judicial por la Democracia in a public position statement.
They urgently called on the people of Mexico, civil organizations, law associations, universities, human rights advocacy groups, and various collectives to join in defending the country and the free legal advisory services affected by the reform.
The workers emphasized that the proposed reform aims to bring the Federal Judicial Branch, the sole counterbalance among the branches of government, under control in ways that infringe on both the rights of the workforce and the integrity of the judicial career system, which provides merit-based access to federal judicial positions.
Despite efforts through various forums to discuss the issues with the proposed reform and how it negatively impacts justice in Mexico, they said they have received no response. The legislative body is set to discuss it on August 26, 2024, without having genuinely considered the workers’ perspectives.
In light of this, workers decided to take decisive actions to defend judicial independence and the judicial career system. They declared an indefinite suspension of activities in the Federal Judicial Branch until their demands are addressed and reflected in the Mexican Constitution.
On August 16, 2024, the Federal Judicial Council (CJF) had denied any agreement about a labor suspension scheduled for August 21, despite circulating documents on social media suggesting otherwise.
The CJF reiterated that misinformation regarding a supposed suspension agreement was untrue and unfounded. They also stated that urgent matters would still be attended to, per the regular duty roster, to ensure that public order and access to justice remain unaffected.
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### Related News: Calls for Judicial Independence Continue to Grow Amidst Mass Strike
As the large-scale work stoppage by Federal Judicial Branch (PJF) employees commenced, additional calls for maintaining judicial independence have surfaced. Legal professionals, civil rights groups, and academic institutions are urging the government to reconsider the reform proposal that seeks to restructure the judiciary system.
In recent days, demonstrations have flared in major cities, with lawyers, activists, and students participating in marches advocating for the preservation of judicial autonomy. Social media platforms have seen a surge in support, with hashtags trending in favor of the strike and judicial freedom.
Political analysts warn that the ongoing strike could lead to significant delays in the judicial system, affecting numerous pending cases and legal processes. They stress the importance of dialogue and negotiation to reach a solution that upholds the rule of law without compromising the judiciary’s independence.
The public outcry underscores the critical role that an autonomous judiciary plays in a balanced government structure, particularly in safeguarding citizens’ rights and holding authorities accountable. Both national and international observers are closely monitoring the situation, as it poses substantial implications for Mexico’s democratic institutions and governance moving forward.