GENEVA (14 July 2023) – A UN expert today expressed serious concern about information received regarding proceedings against Judge Carlos Giovanni Ruano, aimed at lifting his immunity, which may amount to retaliation for his official work on a corruption case.
“A fundamental principle of judicial independence is that judges should not be subject to criminal or disciplinary action for carrying out their duties,” said Margaret Satterthwaite, the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers.
Judge Carlos Giovanni Ruano is facing pre-trial proceedings for his role in exposing a magistrate who attempted to put pressure on him in a case involving a relative. “These proceedings concerning Judge Ruano seek to withdraw the protection from undue prosecution that all judges enjoy. This immunity is essential to the judicial function, since it protects judges from undue influence or intimidation,” Satterthwaite said.