MEDEL – Magistrats Européens pour la Démocratie et les Libertés, has been informed of the developments regarding the judiciary in Guatemala and the situation of Judge Erika Lorena Aifán Dávila, of the Juzgado de Primera Instancia Penal, Narcoactividad y Delitos contra el Ambiente de Mayor Riesgo.
Judge Erika Aifán has been the target of constant attacks from the authorities of Guatemala, undermining the independence of the Judiciary and putting at risk her life, work and decisions, taken only under the law.
MEDEL welcomes the decision of the Corte de Constitucionalidad of July 14th, 2020, that suspended the resolution of the Supreme Court of July 1st.
However, as stated by the Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos in its resolution 55/2019 (Medida cautelar No. 682-18), it is urgent that the authorities of Guatemala adopt the necessary measures to protect the rights to life and personal integrity of Judge Érika Lorena Aifán and to guarantee that she can carry out her work as a judge without being subjected to threats, harassment or intimidation in the exercise of her duties.
MEDEL joins the July 5th, 2020 appeal of the Federación Centroamericana de Jueces por la Democracia, demanding support to all jurisdictional decisions of independent judges, that make Rule of Law effective and guarantee access to justice in conditions of equality.
July 19th, 2020