MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bolivia's Justice far from the people, UN rapporteur says

“Rapporteurs generally do not visit those deprived of liberty,” García-Sayan said about not meeting with Áñez

UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Diego García-Sayán said Justice was “far from the people” of Bolivia.

In his preliminary report, the New York-born lawyer and former Foreign Minister of Peru also outlined a series of observations to improve the Judicial Branch. “Justice is far from the people. The construction of an independent and accessible justice system is a fundamental challenge for Bolivian society,” he said.

García-Sayan also expressed his concern over the release of those sentenced for acts of violence against women and suggested certain protocols are applied to those situations.

The international envoy also said the Bolivian State was responsible for the health and physical integrity of those deprived of liberty, including former interim President Jeanine Áñez.

He also urged Bolivian authorities to respect the guarantees of due process in her case as well as in all judicial proceedings pending resolution.

García-Sayan also said that as a result of the agreement signed with the Ministry of Justice and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, all judicial processes in the country would be monitored to ensure defendants are granted their right to a due process.

Read also: Bolivia signs judicial protocol with UN mission

The UN official also explained he did not visit Áñez in jail because “rapporteurs generally do not visit those deprived of liberty.” However, he highlighted the meeting he had with Áñez's daughter Carolina Ribera and also with the former President's legal team, who provided him with information pertaining to the case.