Human Rights Watch denounced an attack on the independence of the judiciary in Bolivia

The international organization Human Rights Watch denounced an "badault" against the independence of the Bolivian judiciary by the government of Evo Morales and called on the Organization of American States to intervene.

The "arbitrary" dismissal of a hundred judges since 2017 "seriously weakens the independence of justice" and the "The OAS should convene a meeting of its Permanent Council to discuss judicial reform that weakens the rule of law" in Bolivia, HRW said in its country report released Monday in New York.

The organization based its observations on the dismissal of judges without apparent cause and without the latter being able to "challenge before being removed". The last moves took place in March.

The changes were ordered by the Judicial Council, composed of three magistrates – two of whom were former officials of the Morales government, including its president – and are part of a "judicial reform" who has a commission of nine members, five of whom "They are supporters of Morales or government officials whom he has appointed"says the report.

"If Bolivians do not have the guarantees of judicial independence, all their rights may be threatened", said José Miguel Vivanco, director for the Americas of the human rights organization.

Bolivian executive authorities contacted by the Associated Press on Monday said they expected to hear the report before making their decision. Meanwhile, AP asked for a comment at the OAS without obtaining it immediately.

"Judges are much more vulnerable to pressure from the government," HRW told credible allegations of pressure from senior government officials for judges to prosecute opponents … Another example of the vulnerability of the judiciary is the unusual decision of the Constitutional Court stating that Evo Morales has the human right to run for elections indefinitely, "said Vivanco.

According to the constitution put into effect by Morales in 2009, the highest positions of the judiciary, among which the Supreme Court of Justice, the Constitutional Court and the Judicial Council, were elected to the citizens' vote from a list chosen by the Legislature that the government controls two-thirds.

The majority of candidates for these positions "They had worked for the Morales government". "While these capricious terminations are taking place, President Morales is using to underestimate the importance of the independence of justice.", he added.

Bolivia is one of the human rights treaties and conventions that require protection and respect for the independence of the judiciary.

This is not HRW's first critical report against Morales' leadership – in power since 2006 -. In previous ones, the president downplayed its importance and accused the organization of "defending the interests of the empire" with reference to the United States.