Bolivian Judges Cling to Salaries

LA PAZ
Apr 14
The Bolivian government debunked attacks Friday from the Supreme court of Justice (SCJ) and other lesser agencies, claiming they just want to protect their salaries from the money-saving policy boosted by the Executive.

Presidency spokesman Alex Contreras made replied to a declaration signed by SCJ, provincial and the Constitutional courts members.

The text, also signed by members of the Judicature Council and Agrarian Court, accuses the government of undertaking a media campaign to destabilize Judicial power.

The campaign was started by president Evo Morales after taking office, when he slashed his salary to less than half and those of the ministers and high ranking officials to 50 percent.

The magistrates´ text, addressed to the national and international community, states that Judicial power ratifies the decision to protect the main rights of Bolivian people.

However, the presidential spokesman called those arguments an excuse by the judges to keep their wages from being affected by the campaign.

Contreras ratified the Executive´s respect for independence of powers and accused the magistrates of aspiring to keep an expired justice system and refusing the changes demanded by the Bolivians.