**Judicial Workers Protest in Tijuana Over Proposed Reforms**
On Monday, August 19, 2024, approximately 1,200 employees from the Federal Judiciary (PJF) across Tijuana, Mexicali, and Ensenada staged protests against a constitutional reform being discussed in the Congress of the Union. According to Daniel Sánchez Reyes, secretary of the Sixteenth Circuit Court and one of the protest leaders, these demonstrations gathered federal employees who expressed their opposition to the reform proposal.
The workers argue that the reform could potentially undermine the judiciary’s independence and affect their career progression, which they believe should remain based on merit rather than popular vote or other less impartial methods. The protests took place from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM and are planned to continue indefinitely until the Executive Power shows a willingness to engage in dialogue.
“This reform kills our dreams, our efforts, and our study,” said Daniel Sánchez. “With this system, the most popular or favorable candidates might win, not necessarily the most competent ones. This is not impartial.”
Despite the exterior protests, activities inside the Federal Judiciary buildings, including hearings and other legal proceedings, continued without major interruptions. Nonetheless, some employees voiced concerns about the lack of union support and resultant fear among workers to join the protests.
Jorge López, a judicial officer from the 13th District Court, emphasized that the reforms would not only affect judicial workers but could also have broader implications for society.
“This conflict with the judicial reform impacts not just our careers and benefits but could also affect society at large. The federal government has made numerous claims which have turned out to be false,” López stated.
Protesters at the Torre Península chanted “Judicial Power is National Defense” and “Hands Off the Judicial Power,” calling for respect for their labor autonomy.
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**Secondary Article: Legal Sector Voicing Strong Opposition to Judicial Reforms**
The proposed judicial reforms have sparked widespread concerns across the legal community, with various stakeholders expressing their opposition. Legal experts argue that the reform could endanger the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers, potentially compromising the fairness and integrity of the legal system.
The College of Lawyers labeled the reform as a “grave risk to justice and the separation of powers.” They underscored the necessity of maintaining a merit-based system for career advancement within the judiciary.
Alonzo Méndez, a prominent legal figure, also weighed in, stating, “The judicial reforms as proposed infringe upon the independence of the judiciary, which is an essential pillar of our democratic system. Any attempt to weaken this independence should be met with robust opposition.”
This sentiment is echoed by the Federation of Judicial Workers (Fedabo), which has actively criticized the forums held to discuss the judicial reforms. Fedabo alleges that these forums are merely a simulation and do not address the core issues affecting the judiciary.
With no end in sight for these protests and mounting criticism from the legal sector, the debate over the judicial reforms is likely to continue, highlighting the critical need for careful consideration and genuine dialogue to find a balanced solution.
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