Catholic bishops in Bolivia call for independent judicial system

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Catholic bishops of Bolivia have expressed concern about the curtailment of human rights by the inefficient judicial system, guided by partisan interests, and have called for urgent judicial reform.

Included is a call for reconciliation and peace, which is why “all citizens must work together to reconcile and create a fraternal and peaceful climate, setting aside what divides, including verbal violence, and seeking what unites.”

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They denounced the judicial hostilities against the former president of Bolivia, Jeanine Áñez, because “her right to defend herself in freedom and to receive due process has been manifestly violated, and she has suffered merciless treatment.”

“It is not possible to continue to ignore the fundamental rights enshrined in our Constitution and the principle of the presumption of innocence, and certainly not to apply them arbitrarily,” it said.

Therefore, “every person has the right to respect for his dignity and life, including those serving a just sentence.”

URGENT JUSTICE REFORM

They allege that the government of Luis Arce, the political placeholder of former President Evo Morales, is using the judiciary as a mechanism for political retribution.

“It is common knowledge that the judiciary, which has become a tool of revenge in the hands of those in power, disregards all the rights and freedoms of a democracy that are inherent to the rule of law,” they denounce.

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It is unacceptable that 70 to 75% of prison inmates are deprived of their liberty without judgment and often under inhumane conditions,” they say.

According to the prelates, “it is no longer possible to postpone a genuine reform of the judicial system that will restore a transparent, impartial and independent judiciary.”

In this way, “the rule of law and democracy, the dignity of every person and the common good, the unity and the true and complete development of our society” can be guaranteed.