LA PAZ, Bolivia - A prominent human rights group said Monday that Bolivia has undermined judicial independence by arbitrarily dismissing nearly 100 judges since 2017 and it asked the Organization of American States to address the issue. Human Rights Watch said the judges were not given any reason for the dismissals by a Magistrates Council dominated by allies of President Evo Morales. The prominent human rights group Human Rights Watch says Bolivia has undermined judicial independence by arbitrarily dismissing nearly 100 judges since 2017 and it‚Äôs asking the Organization of American States to address the issue. HRW says the judges haven‚Äôt been given any reason for the dismissals by a Magistrates Council dominated by Morales' allies. Vivanco said the dismissal of judges “should be a wake-up call for OAS member states,” and added, “When people in Bolivia can no longer expect judicial independence, then all their rights are at risk.”

Source: thestar April 29, 2019 13:23 UTC