Two judges raped judicial officials for years: Arturo Zaldívar

Arturo Zaldivar, president of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN), revealed that two judges raped members of the judiciary for years and are currently under investigation.

The Minister pointed out that the two officials have long enjoyed impunity, but did not specify who it was or for how long the abuse had been recorded.

“There are two cases of federal judges where practically They had been raping women workers in the justice system for years and no one did anythingZaldívar said at a press conference on September 8.

The president of the SCJN further information on the case has been reserved because there are ongoing investigations and added that the most important thing is change macho structure that permeates the institution.

“More than punishment, what matters to us is to change the culture, to create environments where harassment is no longer a part and since we have results and sanctions, harassment has decreased considerably.”

Zaldivar explained that details of those who have committed sexual abuse may be disclosed if it emerges from the investigations, there is a final sanction, because it could be considered corruption within the judiciary.

To date, three judges have been suspended for their alleged violent behavior based on gender and there are more than 50 inquiries in this regard.

“The Sexual harassment and gender-based violence was a culture in the justice system. It didn’t look bad. I was already very socialized to think that women were an object one could make obscene comments aboutThey could be affected, they could be mistreated.

“Women, often out of necessity, for fear of losing their job, they had to face these problems», Assured the minister.

recognized that on his arrival as president of the highest court in the country, complaints multiplied because we believed there would be consequences.

During its period, which runs from 2019 to 2022, judges, magistrates, secretaries were dismissed from their functions, among other officials related to sexual abuse. Although the trend has decreased because there are penalties.

The lawyer said that will continue with a zero tolerance policy against violence against women. And he hopes that as soon as the investigations are finished there are exemplary punishments such as layoffs or exclusions.

If there are victims who want to report, they can go to an anonymous mailbox of the Judicial Council or to the Unit established against gender violence. And if the crime has not been prescribed in its administrative sanction, there will also be corresponding penalties.

On the other hand, Arturo Zaldívar asserted that there are no longer any federal justice circuits supported by organized crime and argued that corruption cases have decreased. He also announced that the federal judiciary would grant three months paid paternity leave and that women prosecuted for abortion would be defended free of charge.

The minister indicated that the Federal Council of the Magistracy has approved an agreement to advise and represent the families of femicide victims and women prosecuted or sentenced for termination of pregnancy.

He pointed out that the SCJN’s decision against the criminalization of abortion on September 7 does not exhaust the women’s rights agenda, so we must continue to move forward until real substantive equality between men and women is achieved.

“Until we have gender parity in all public and private institutions, until gender discrimination stops, until there is no sexual violence or harassment, until we have a country where women can walk freely without fear of being raped or killed. This is the pending agenda and it is not a minor agenda, ”Zaldívar said.

During the conference, the magistrate said that the SCJN precedent on the decriminalization of abortion is an achievement of extraordinary importance, however, he indicated that It is not a merit of the Supreme Court, but of the thousands of women who, for years, have been fighting for their rights. On the other hand, he clarified that he respects the beliefs of those who are against the termination of pregnancy, but in a secular state, the right to decide should not be criminalized.

KEEP READING: