Nearly 50,000 judges and lawyers went on a national strike Tuesday to protest against congestion in the justice branch, according to Colombia’s El Colombiano newspaper.
The judicial offices are overburdened and depending on the de-congestion program to complete their judicial obligations said Luis Fernando Otalvaro Calle, the president of the National Association of Functionaries and Employees of Judicial Branch quoted in to El Colombiano.
The Minister of Justice stated Monday that the government does not have the capital to complete the decongestion program, which aims to reduce the backlog of cases in the justice system.
With the strike that is planned to last for two days the 48,000 judges and attorneys take matters in their own hands to show the government that decongestion is needed.
President of the Corporation of judges and magistrates, Maria del Pilar Arango, also announced in an interview on Colombian Radio La W that Colombian government needs to tackle the congestion problem in the justice sector.
If the government ignores their request for decongestion, the strikers are willing to extend the strike. When the money for the decongestion program is found the strikers will assume the respective work.
During the protests emergency services will still be provided such as freedom of individuals, guardianship regarding right to life and security of detainees will be guarantied control hearings, El Colombiano reports.
MORE: 1000s of mechanics strike at Colombia’s biggest coal mines
Earlier this month 3500 mechanics went on strike demanding better pay, health care and education for their work in the coalmines.
Sources
- Asonal Judicial espera que 48.000 funcionarios se unan al paro del sector (El Colombiano)
- Funcionarios de la Rama Judicial y de la Fiscalía a paro (Radio La W)
