**Grads Criticize UABC for “Silence” on Judicial Reform**
Graduates from the Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC) in Tijuana have expressed their discontent with the university’s silence regarding a judicial reform currently being debated in the Mexican Senate. Last week, Silvia Vega, secretary of the Appellate Collegiate Tribunal, mentioned that a written request was made to the university for spaces to inform the community about the reform, which has yet to be answered. Vega suggested that there might be interests at play but did not elaborate on what those could be.
On the morning of September 6, 2024, more than a hundred employees from the Judicial Branch arrived at UABC’s Faculty of Law and the rector’s office, shouting slogans like, “Alma mater, it’s time, your graduates need you! Your silence hurts us! Where is your autonomy?”, “Cimarron with values, don’t sell out to oppressors,” and “UABC, wake up, dictatorship is at the door.”
At the Faculty of Law, Judicial Branch representatives urged students to join the fight against the constitutional reform, arguing that it compromises the pursuit of justice for all Mexicans. They claimed that the reform imposes political and partisan ideology without consulting crucial stakeholders or the public.
Students observed the workers’ impassioned speeches in the hallways. The Judicial Branch employees emphasized the importance of defending the judicial career path, which ensures that disputes between the government and citizens are resolved by professional judges. The principle that merit and hard work are the best routes to achieving aspirations was also highlighted.
Members of the student body, including two from the Honor and Law Student Front who wished to remain anonymous, showed their support for the protest and voiced opposition to the judicial reform championed by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. They called on their peers to spread awareness within the university and beyond, into the streets of Tijuana.
A sixth-semester law student named Dulce told a reporter that despite the relevance of the issue, the Judicial Branch workers seemed very isolated. She noted that while some of her family members support the legislative change due to their political affiliations, she views it as academic regression.
An unnamed academic confirmed a lack of awareness among UABC students about the reform’s implications. Stating that the protest was justified, she expressed concern that many opinions are based solely on President López Obrador’s stance. She highlighted the importance of judicial independence in protecting citizens’ rights.
América Ruiz Ríos, the 11th District Judge, shared the hope that the reform would not pass in the Senate next Wednesday. She asserted that although judicial suspensions have been granted to prevent the reform’s vote due to procedural flaws, these suspensions haven’t been respected.
Ríos warned of the potential ramifications if the reform is approved, including mass dismissals of judges at both the state and federal levels. This would lead to the appointment of new judges through elections, imposing a significant financial burden on the State.
Despite requests for interviews with UABC officials, including Faculty of Law Director Laura Alicia Camarillo Alva and Vice-Rector Haydeé Gómez Llanos, no interviews were granted. In a statement, UABC emphasized the importance of constitutional reforms that uphold citizens’ rights and adherence to the law. They called for the judicial reform to maintain democratic principles and the separation of powers.
The university highlighted their Forum on Judicial Reform held on August 16 as a space for the community to express and defend their ideas respectfully.
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**Secondary Article: Judicial Reform Sparks Controversy**
In related news, the judicial reform in Mexico has been a hot topic of debate. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s proposed changes aim to restructure the judiciary, which he argues will combat corruption and increase efficiency. Critics, however, warn that the reform threatens the independence of the judicial system.
Organizations and judicial bodies across Mexico have staged protests and called for broader public discussions. Concerns include potential political interference and the undermining of judicial autonomy. Recently, a group of protesters entered the Judicial Branch facilities in Tijuana’s Zona Río, where they faced opposition and defamation.
The judicial reform is part of a broader effort by López Obrador to consolidate power within the executive branch, raising alarms about the future of Mexico’s democratic institutions. With the Senate vote approaching, the nation watches closely to see the potential impacts on its legal framework and the rule of law.