In 2026, Guatemala faces a pivotal moment for its democratic legal system, with the election of three key institutions, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, the Constitutional Court and the Prosecutor General, all crucial to safeguarding the rule of law and judicial independence.
As part of its mandate to protect and promote judicial independence, the International Association of Judges (IAJ) is closely monitoring developments that may affect the independence of the judiciary.
A delegation of European judges and academics, led by IAJ Vice President Dorota Zabłudowska, is currently in Guatemala to observe the electoral process, assess the state of the judicial system and formulate recommendations for the future. The delegates involved include Astrid Bode, member of the Board of the German Association of Judges, Hans Peter Graver of the University of Oslo acting on behalf of the Norwegian Association of Judges, Hanna Werth, President of the Swedish Association of Judges, and Dorota Zabłudowska herself.
During their visit, the delegation is engaging with judges, lawyers, diplomats, civil society organisations and indigenous authorities in order to gain the most comprehensive understanding of the situation in the country. Their findings and recommendations will be presented in a report to be published in mid-April.
The mission has been organised in cooperation with IAJ, the “Programa ACTuando Juntas Jotay”, the “Centro por la Justicia y el Derecho Internacional” (CEJIL) and the “Plataforma Internacional Contra la Impunidad and the Comisión Internacional de Juristas“, all of which are actively committed to the protection of human rights.
