UN Experts Condemn Removal of Peruvian Judge, Warn of Threat to Judicial Independence

United Nations human rights experts have strongly condemned the removal of Peruvian judge Oswaldo Ordóñez Alcántara, describing it as a serious reprisal linked to his participation in an international human rights hearing.

Judge Ordóñez, who served as President of the First Constitutional Chamber of Lima, was dismissed following a periodic evaluation and confirmation process. The decision has raised alarm among international observers, who argue it may undermine judicial independence in Peru.

According to the experts, the judge's removal appears directly connected to his participation in a November 2024 hearing before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), titled "The State of Judicial Independence in the Americas." During the session, Ordóñez spoke on behalf of the National Association of Magistrates of Peru and as a member of the Latin American Federation of Magistrates' Advisory Council, addressing concerns about the independence of Peru's judiciary.

UN experts emphasised that judges must be free to engage in public discussions about the functioning and independence of judicial systems without fear of retaliation. They warned that punitive actions like removal from office could have a chilling effect on the judiciary as a whole.

"We are concerned that removal of Judge Ordóñez amounts to a reprisal of a magnitude that will affect all judges in the country," the experts said.

Particular concern was raised over the nature of the questioning during the confirmation process. Ordóñez was reportedly asked about his participation in the IACHR hearing—an issue the experts described as highly unusual for such proceedings. They criticised the outcome, stating that it is unacceptable for professional engagement in a human rights forum to lead to dismissal.

The situation escalated further after Peru's National Board of Justice (JNJ) initiated a preliminary disciplinary investigation into the judge's actions. This followed a complaint filed by a member of congress in September 2025—nearly a year after the IACHR hearing took place.

UN Special Rapporteurs expressed concern that these steps may represent an attempt to silence dissent and penalise a judge for exercising fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.

"These actions may constitute an effort to punish and silence Judge Ordóñez for defending judicial independence," they noted.

The experts have called on Peruvian authorities, particularly the JNJ, to uphold international human rights standards and ensure the protection of judicial independence. They stressed that judges should not face administrative or legal sanctions for actions carried out in line with their professional responsibilities and ethical obligations.

The case has sparked broader concerns about the state of democratic institutions in Peru, with observers warning that any erosion of judicial independence could weaken the rule of law and public trust in the justice system.