UN experts call for justice over assassination of magistrate Víctor Claure in Santa Cruz
Agricultural and environmental magistrate Víctor Claure was assassinated on 30 April in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. UN experts are demanding an independent investigation and protection for the judiciary.
UN experts demand justice following assassination of magistrate Víctor Claure Hinojoza
According to srdefenders.org, United Nations experts called on the Bolivian Government on 8 September to bring to justice those responsible for the assassination of magistrate Víctor Claure Hinojoza, clarify the motives behind the crime, and guarantee reparations to his family.
Magistrate Claure, Dean of the Agrarian Environmental Tribunal of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, was assassinated on 30 April in the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Two individuals travelling on a motorcycle fired four bullets at close range at him; Claure died at the scene. Before becoming a judge, he had developed his career in the technical public service of the agricultural sector and in the defence of environmental rights.
"This brutal assassination constitutes a grave attack on judicial independence, the right to a healthy environment and the rule of law," the UN experts stated. "We urge Bolivian authorities to conduct an effective and independent investigation into the assassination, bring those responsible to justice, ensure that the motives of the crime are clarified, and implement measures to prevent recurrence."
Nearly four months after the crime, four people have been detained as suspects for allegedly receiving and storing the motorcycle used by the perpetrator. However, neither the person who pulled the trigger nor whoever ordered the assassination is in the hands of justice.
The experts noted that the apparent contract killing could be linked to the official functions of the magistrate, in particular his work in the defence and protection of the environment. In the months prior to his death, Claure had worked on cases related to illegal mining, forest fires and land appropriation.
"The consequences of the assassination are devastating, not only for Bolivia's judiciary and rule of law, but also for the victim's family," the experts stated. "Bolivian authorities must adopt immediate measures to ensure accountability and to protect members of the judiciary."
The experts warned that attacks or acts of intimidation against judicial actors involved in the protection of environmental rights can undermine both judicial independence and the effective realisation of human rights. "The assassination of a judge has an inevitable deterrent effect throughout the entire judiciary if it is not followed by an effective investigation, prosecution and punishment of those responsible," they added.
"The risks that the magistrate faced because of the type of cases he was handling are not isolated: the judiciary needs effective protection when addressing environmental matters," they stated.
The experts also called for support for Claure's family, urging the Government to guarantee them the conditions necessary to live safely and with a dignified standard of living. Among the measures requested are survivor pensions, educational scholarships, compensation for death in the line of duty and immediate assistance for funeral expenses.
"Urgent measures must be adopted to address the vulnerability of the judiciary," they stated. "International standards establish that States must ensure that those exercising judicial functions are free from intimidation and threats, as well as the obligation to protect people who defend the environment. It is the responsibility of States to guarantee and protect their lives and freedom, both in their capacity as judicial officials and as private individuals."
The UN experts formally communicated their concerns to the Bolivian Government.
Source: Google News BO — Crime