Mexico's judges to end weeks-long strike over judicial reform

Mexico City [Mexico], October 14: Federal judges and court employees in Mexico have decided to end a prolonged strike against President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's sweeping judicial reform.
Federal judges association JUFED on Saturday said that a majority of its members voted in favour of ending the strike, which lasted for nearly two months, and in favour of continuing with "other forms of protest" against the contentious judicial overhaul.
Judicial employees would resume work on Wednesday, JUFED said, as it called on the country's Supreme Court to protect "fundamental rights" when it rules on the reform.
"We respectfully call on the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation, as the highest guarantor of the rule of law, institutional balances and human rights, to pronounce itself with the necessary promptness and firmness on the recently approved judicial reform," JUFED said in a statement.
According to the Mexican newspaper Milenio, more than 50,000 people were involved in the strikes.
The reform by left-wing populist Lopez Obrador include the direct election of judges, including those on the Supreme Court. It was passed by Congress last month and has been signed by Lopez Obrador, who at the end of September will be succeeded by close ally Claudia Sheinbaum.
Sheinbaum is expected to continue the policies of her mentor and supports the reform.
Critics are concerned that if judges are elected directly by the people powerful drug cartels, which control large parts of the country and influence voting behaviour, could gain more influence over the judiciary.
Source: Qatar Tribune