The International Union of Judicial Officers (UIHJ) took part in two significant events held in Brasília, Brazil, on June 9 and 10, reaffirming its commitment to the recognition, representation, and advancement of Judicial Officers worldwide.
On Monday, June 9, the UIHJ, represented by the Member of the Board Malone Cunha, participated in the official relaunch of the Parliamentary Front in Defense of Judicial Officers, held at Plenary Room 6 of the Brazilian House of Representatives. The solemn session was marked by a strong institutional presence, including leaders of the three national associations representing Judicial Officers in Brazil: Mariana Liria (Fenassojaf), Mário Neto (Afojebra), and João Batista Fernandes (Fesojus-BR). The Parliamentary Front is chaired by Deputy Coronel Meira (PL/PE).
During the session, Malone Cunha addressed the audience, highlighting the essential role played by the UIHJ in the international representation of Judicial Officers and the strategic importance of institutional unity to guarantee concrete achievements for the profession. “The UIHJ stands firmly alongside national associations to support the continued strengthening of our profession within the judicial systems. The Parliamentary Front is a powerful platform for visibility and constructive dialogue with Congress, and its relaunch is a testament to the strength of our collective efforts,” he stated.
The event was attended by Judicial Officers from all over Brazil, alongside supportive members of Congress, such as Deputies Delegado Caveira (PL/PA), Sanderson (PL/RS), Roberto Monteiro (PL/RJ), and Erika Kokay (PT/DF). The parliamentarians underscored that support for Judicial Officers is a nonpartisan issue, cutting across ideological lines in defense of public service and access to justice.
The following day, June 10, Malone Cunha also represented the UIHJ at the official ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the National Council of Justice (CNJ). Established in 2005, the CNJ is responsible for the administrative and financial oversight of the Brazilian judiciary, as well as the ethical conduct of magistrates. The solemn event was held at the CNJ headquarters and presided over by its current president, Justice Luís Roberto Barroso, who in 2024 was patron of the UIHJ congress in Rio de Janeiro.
The celebration included a keynote speech by Justice Barroso on judicial policies developed over the past two decades. Notable figures such as former Supreme Court Justice Nelson Jobim, the CNJ’s first president, and Justice Flávio Dino, its first Secretary-General, were honored during the ceremony. The event also paid tribute to Justice Aloysio Corrêa da Veiga (President of the Labour Superior Court), Justice Herman Benjamin (President of the Superior Court), and Brazilian singer and activist Daniela Mercury, a member of the CNJ’s Human Rights Observatory.
Commemorative elements included the launch of a special institutional postal stamp, an art piece by Toninho Euzébio, and a book published by Justiça & Cidadania magazine. Throughout its 20 years, the CNJ has implemented over 39 national judicial policies aimed at improving access to justice and promoting innovation, efficiency, and inclusivity in the judiciary. These policies encompass a wide range of social groups, including women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, Indigenous peoples, and other marginalized communities.
For the UIHJ, participation in these two events represented not only a recognition of the importance of Judicial Officers in the Brazilian legal system but also a reaffirmation of the organization’s global mission to promote international cooperation, uphold the rule of law, and advocate for the dignity and essential role of Judicial Officers worldwide.
