National
Widespread support for strike action by judges and judicial secretaries in Spain
By h.b. - Oct 22, 2008 - 7:03 AM
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There was widespread support for the strike action from judicial secretaries and judges across Spain, with some 73% reported to have taken part by the Ministry for Justice.
Secretary of State for Justice, Julio Pérez, admitted that the strike had ‘intense support’, and had affected service to the public significantly.
The judges voiced criticism at what they saw as political pressures and the lack of resources across the country. 46 judges from the Supreme Court signed a manifesto complaining of what they called ‘intolerable pressure’ from the Government.
Comments from Juan Ávila, a judicial secretary in Madrid, to the El Mundo newspaper were typical. He said that archives with rat droppings were typical in the capital.
The demonstration came after the publicity surrounding failings in the Sevilla court of Judge Rafael Tirado in the case of the man who went on to abuse and allegedly kill the Huelva five year old, Mari Luz Cortés.
Meanwhile judges in Málaga have announced that they will be taking independent strike action unless they get more resources and manpower before the end of the year.