8 September 2026
The Government of Bolivia must
ensure that the killers of Judge Victor Claure Hinojoza are
brought to justice, the motives behind the murder are
clarified, and the family receives compensation, UN experts*
said today.
Judge Claure, who was dean of the of the
Agro-Environmental Court of the Plurinational State of
Bolivia, was assassinated on 30 April, in the city of Santa
Cruz de la Sierra by two individuals riding a motorcycle.
Starting out as an environmental rights defender, Judge
Claure built his professional career in the technical public
service of the agrarian sector before becoming a
judge.
“The brutal killing constitutes a serious
attack on judicial independence, the right to a healthy
environment and the rule of law,” the experts said. “We
call on Bolivian authorities to carry out an effective and
independent investigation into the killing and bring those
responsible to justice, ensure the motives behind the crime
are clarified, and measures to prevent recurrence are
implemented.”
Judge Claure died at the scene after
one of his attackers fired four bullets at him point
blank.
“The effects of the killing are devastating,
not only for Bolivia’s judiciary and the rule of law, but
also for the victim’s family,” they said. “Bolivian
authorities must take immediate measures to ensure
accountability and protect members of the
judiciary.”
“The killing of a judge has an
inevitable chilling effect across the judiciary if it is not
followed by effective investigation, prosecution, and
punishment of those responsible,” the experts
said.
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The apparent contract killing may be linked to
the Judge’s official duties, including the exercise of his
duty to protect and defend the environment. In the months
before his assassination, Judge Claure had worked on several
sensitive matters, including cases concerning unlawful
mining, forest fires, and land grabs.
Almost four
months after the assassination, four people have been
arrested on suspicion of receiving and storing the
motorcycle used by the hitman. But neither the person who
carried out the murder nor the person who ordered it have
been arrested.
“The risks the judge faced due to the
type of cases he was handling are not unique: the judiciary
needs effective protection as it confronts environmental
issues,” the experts said
The experts warned that
attacks or acts of intimidation directed at judicial actors
engaged in the protection of environmental rights may
undermine judicial independence and hinder the effective
enjoyment of universally recognised human rights.
They
called for support for the families of judges and urged the
Government to ensure that Judge Claure’s family is
provided with the assistance they need to live in safety and
have a decent standard of living following his tragic
murder. These measures include comprehensive financial
support consisting of survivor pensions and educational
scholarships, compensation for occupational hazards or
violent death in the line of duty, and immediate assistance
for funeral expenses.
“Urgent measures must be taken
to address the vulnerability of the judiciary,” the
experts said. “International standards provide that States
have an obligation to ensure that those who exercise
judicial functions are free from intimidation and threats,
and to protect those who defend the
environment.”
“It is the responsibility of States
to guarantee and protect their life and liberty, both in
their capacity as judicial officials and as
individuals.”
The experts have communicated their
concerns to
Bolivia.
