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El Ciudadano

Original article: Nace la Asociación de Juristas por la Democracia: una nueva voz por la defensa de los DDHH y en contra de la corrupción del país y el lawfare

This June marked the official launch of the Association of Lawyers for Democracy (AJD), an organization dedicated to upholding the social rule of law and tackling judicial corruption.

The Association of Lawyers for Democracy (AJD) was officially formed in Santiago as a non-profit legal entity. Its primary aim is to defend the social and democratic state of law, popular sovereignty, and the principles of social constitutionalism, while also taking a strong stance against irregularities within the legal system.

The establishment of the AJD comes in response to a complex institutional and global landscape. The founders of the association highlighted a significant breakdown in public trust and inaction among traditional bodies concerning judicial issues.

In this context, Carlos Margotta, president of the association, stated:

«We are establishing our mission as an Association amid a widespread lack of trust in institutions, many of which are infiltrated by organized crime, amidst a normalization of hate and denialist discourses prohibited by International Law. In this global context where the far-right takes advantage of democracies’ failure to meet the population’s basic demands, they advance electorally with populist agendas that threaten severe societal regressions…»

Meanwhile, Javier Pineda, secretary general of the AJD, emphasized the necessity of breaking the inactivity of traditional associations and actively denouncing irregularities within the legal framework, saying that, “given the silence of professional organizations like the Bar Association, it is crucial to raise a voice against corruption in the judicial system and the use of courts to further undermine democracy in our country.”

Additionally, the founding members noted that in the face of growing authoritarian stances, the AJD aims to establish the role of legal professionals as active agents in the protection of fundamental rights and social justice, counteracting power dynamics that manipulate the courts.

In this regard, the organization’s vice president, Anjuli Tostes, indicated that the association was created to solidify justice and commitment to democracy: «In a time marked by the rise of authoritarian perspectives, the AJD emerges as a platform to affirm justice and democratic convictions. Our mission is to defend an ethical, transparent, and independent judicial system, committed to popular sovereignty and the Social and Democratic State of Law.»

Furthermore, Rodrigo Liberona, director of the AJD, expressed his hope that the establishment of the organization will signify a turning point in legal advocacy during challenging times, restoring the law’s transformative role and its commitment to justice. «I hope the formation of the AJD will mark a milestone that illuminates a difficult period for law as a transformative tool and a guide toward principles of justice. In these times when might seems to override law, deception eclipses evidence, and opportunism supersedes principles, the lawyers and jurists of the AJD bear the mission of working with the law as our tool to create institutions aligned with the principles of social justice, rather than instruments for those in power to accrue more power,» he stated.

It is important to highlight that the Association of Lawyers for Democracy is formed broadly by women and men lawyers, academics, students, and various professionals operating within the judicial sector, aiming to promote alliances with social movements to strengthen democracy.

Moreover, the guiding principles of the association are summarized in five fundamental pillars:

• Protection of Due Process: Guaranteeing the presumption of innocence, impartiality in courts, transparency, and robust legal defense for everyone.
• Social Justice and Equality: Eradicating gender, economic, and cultural gaps, avoiding the criminalization of indigenous communities and the persecution of social demands.
• Judicial Reform: Demanding structural changes to end the influence of private interests and ensure institutional transparency.
• Protection of Human Rights: Comprehensive defense of civil, political, social, and environmental rights.
• Civic Engagement: Collaborative work with social movements to build a participatory, pluralistic, and equitable model of justice.

With its official formation in Santiago, AJD formally begins its operations, aiming to become a key player in public debate. Through advisory roles, citizen observatories, and legal actions, the organization seeks to restore the ethical role of the law and its service orientation towards the majority.

El Ciudadano.

La entrada New Association of Lawyers for Democracy Emerges: Advocating for Human Rights and Combating Corruption and Lawfare se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.