GENEVA (8 February 2019) – Venezuela must take all necessary steps to guarantee that judges, magistrates and prosecutors are able to work in complete independence in order to ensure human rights in the country, says the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Diego García-Sayán.
“I urge all State institutions to respect, promote and guarantee the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, so it can carry out its duties in a safe environment and resolve cases without restrictions, influence, incentives, pressure, threats or wrongful interference, either direct or indirect, from whatever source or for whatever reason,” says the UN expert.
“In the current of period of instability, the lack of appropriate numbers of prosecutors and career magistrates, as well as huge provisional and short-term appointments, severely undermines the independence of the judicial system,” he added.