Acceso a la Justicia proposes independent TSJ magistrate selection to IACHR

The Venezuelan NGO Acceso a la Justicia has presented a proposal to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to ensure the independent election of magistrates for Venezuela's Supreme Tribunal of Justice (TSJ).

The organization argues that the current Organic Law of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice deviates from the 1999 Constitution. While the Constitution mandates that a Judicial Nominations Committee composed of civil society members should preselect candidates, the current law has transferred this control to the National Assembly, which the NGO claims reduces citizen participation and increases political influence.

Acceso a la Justicia suggests that the current selection process, which was suspended in June following a double earthquake, should be reset to the call for applications phase to ensure transparency. They recommend the publication of evaluation criteria, the number of vacancies, and the specific chambers involved to ensure an open and verifiable process. They maintain that the law should be reformed to restore judicial independence and return a central role in preselection to civil society.