Venezuelan Assembly Approves Judicial Council Reform, Expanding Civil Society Role

Venezuela's National Assembly has approved a reform to the Organic Law of the Supreme Court of Justice, a move hailed by lawmakers as a significant step toward a democratic transition and the rebuilding of the country's justice system.

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As a result of our efforts, Venezuelan civil society is taking a central role in building the country's democratic transition.

The reform, passed in its first discussion, modifies Article 65 of the law, altering the composition of the Judicial Nominations Committee. The committee's membership will increase from 21 to 23 individuals. Crucially, the number of civil society representatives will rise to 12, while 11 will be National Assembly deputies. This committee will now operate for a two-year term.

Juan Miguel Matheus, a deputy and member of the 2015-elected National Assembly's Delegated Commission, emphasized that this change is a result of dialogue and negotiation efforts with the government. He stated that Venezuelan civil society is now taking a central role in constructing the nation's democratic transition. Matheus believes the new committee structure will ensure greater citizen representation in selecting aspiring magistrates, with selections based on professional trajectory, suitability, and legal preparation.

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At the heart of Venezuela's transition will be its civil society.

The reform also outlines a preliminary commission, composed of 11 deputies, responsible for inviting and pre-selecting civil society representatives. This process will be public and widely disseminated. The selection criteria will also aim for gender parity and include participation from groups facing discrimination, marginalization, or vulnerability. Matheus described the new mechanism as an opportunity to transform the process of forming the country's highest court and advance public evaluation of candidates' credentials, calling it a "victory for the country and an achievement of the Negotiating Delegation."

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It is a victory for the country and an achievement of the Negotiating Delegation. We have managed to turn a fundamental demand of the negotiation into a concrete reform of the Organic Law of the Supreme Court of Justice. This is a first step to rebuild Venezuelan justice.