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Original article: Trabajadores judiciales (OTJ) rechazan solicitud UDI para remover a juez Daniel Urrutia: “Sin independencia judicial no hay democracia”

Judicial Workers Organization (OTJ) Accuses Political Persecution Following UDI Parliamentary Group Request, Warns of Violating Separation of Powers Principle

The Judicial Workers Organization (OTJ) issued a public statement to firmly reject the request made by the Independent Democratic Union (UDI) parliamentary group, which formally asks the President of the Republic to intervene with the Supreme Court to demand the removal of Judge Daniel Urrutia Laubreaux, head of the 7th Guarantee Court in Santiago and regional president of the association.

In an urgent public declaration, the OTJ expressed its dismay and rejection of the initiative, stating that “it is evident that this request stems from a continuous political persecution against Judge Daniel Urrutia Laubreaux, for lawfully overseeing a formalization hearing against Joaquín Lavín León, who was placed in preventive detention.”

Furthermore, the organization described the invocation of the judge’s international travels as “an unjustified excuse,” reminding that this matter was previously addressed and resolved by the Esteemed Santiago Court of Appeals, which decided not to impose any sanctions, thus constituting res judicata.

The OTJ warned that while the Constitution allows the President to request the Supreme Court to remove judges for misconduct, that rule cannot entail re-examining facts already resolved in an administrative inquiry, which would violate the principle of “Non bis in idem,” prohibiting the judgment or sanctioning of the same fact twice.

Additionally, the organization asserted that the UDI’s request represents a “flagrant violation of the principle of separation of powers, a fundamental pillar of our Republic enshrined in Article 7 of the Political Constitution.” They emphasized that “the days when the political sign of the moment dictated the fate of judges are long gone.”

The statement also highlighted that judicial independence is undercut, “which is not a privilege of the magistrates, but a guarantee for all citizens.” A judge must rule according to the law, the Constitution, and international treaties, “without the looming fear of being removed due to political pressure, media editorial influence, or vendettas from partisan sectors.”

Finally, the OTJ announced that it will remain vigilant against any attempts to manipulate disciplinary processes as tools of persecution or workplace intimidation, concluding that “without judicial independence, there is no democracy or real justice for Chile.”

La entrada Judicial Workers Reject UDI Request to Remove Judge Daniel Urrutia: «Without Judicial Independence, There Is No Democracy» se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.