The progressive association Judges for Democracy withdraws from the justice strike.

The spokesperson for the Secretariat of Judges for Democracy , Edmundo Rodríguez Achútegui, announced this Saturday that his association has just consulted its members and 76% have rejected joining the strike called by other judicial and prosecutorial associations over the reforms the government is preparing for access to judicial and prosecutorial careers.

According to the spokesperson, the reasons given to justify the strike do not apply because the bill announced by the Minister of the Presidency, Justice, and Parliamentary Relations, Félix Bolaños, "does not undermine the rule of law or affect judicial independence."

The judge has expressed his respect for all those who decide to join the strike , but maintains that "the bill, which has positive, negative, and improvable aspects, does not violate our rule of law or call into question judicial independence."

He also stated that "as with any bill, it includes provisions that deserve criticism, such as the way in which the stabilization of substitute judges and prosecutors is planned ." In this regard, he maintained that "jurists who do not have such status should be excluded, as this is intended to address a problem of abuse of temporary contracts."

For his part, Rodríguez Achútegui believes that the required seniority for participation should be increased, the incorporation of these professionals through the fourth round should be encouraged , the court should ensure rigorous selection, and, above all, that "under no circumstances should the rights of those already in the judicial system be violated."

However, Rodríguez believes that these objectionable aspects "do not violate the rule of law or diminish judicial independence" and insists that "one can be for, against, or defend changes to the regulation, but it cannot be said that the bill creates the risks that some are denouncing."

The JJpD spokesperson noted that "the bill also includes reasonable provisions, such as attempts to guarantee equal opportunities in the selection process for those applying for the judiciary or prosecutor's office, facilitating, through sufficient and long-term scholarships, the overcoming of economic barriers faced by low-income families."