During a one-week mission that concluded on 4 October, the ICJ received information on the tense situation faced by the Supreme Court’s Constitutional Chamber, whose independence has been subjected to political influence for more than a year.

The ICJ is concerned about a complaint filed with the Legislative Assembly which requests a provisional judgment against four judges of the Constitutional Chamber for alleged prevarication, abuse of power and disobedience. This could result in their removal from the Court.

The ICJ wishes to reiterate that, in accordance with international standards, the judiciary must be protected from any restrictions, improper influences, inducements, pressures, threats or interferences, direct or indirect, including from legislative or executive authorities.

The mission, led by a high-level ICJ delegation that included ICJ Commissioners Justice Philippe Texier and Professor Rodrigo Uprimny, focused on access to justice and legal remedies for victims of violations of economic, social and cultural rights.

It engaged in discussions with members of the legal profession, civil society and various authorities including the public prosecutor office (the Procuradoria General de la Republica and the Procuradoria para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos), as well as with the Constitutional Chamber.

Source: http://www.icj.org/el-salvador-authorities-urged-to-respect-and-protect-the-independence-of-the-judiciary/ 04.10.2013. Republished with persmission.