THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT REAFFIRMS ITS COMMITMENT TO HUMAN RIGHTS

Regarding the chapter on Mexico in Amnesty International’s Annual Report 2012: The State of the World’s Human Rights, the Mexican government states:

The federal government is fully committed to promoting and protecting human rights, which is an obligation of the Mexican state as a whole and involves all levels and branches of government.

Mexico’s policy is to remain open to international scrutiny, based on cooperation and the belief that the international community’s experiences and contributions strengthen Mexico’s own efforts in this area. As part of this policy, the Mexican government maintains an ongoing, responsible dialogue with civil society organizations, including Amnesty International.

The Mexican government is making every effort to comply with the rulings of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, both regarding reparations for the victims of every case and taking steps to ensure that the situation is not repeated.

Compliance with the court’s rulings is a joint effort between federal and state agencies which has made it possible to conduct an open discussion not only between the various levels and branches of the government but also with civil society about taking steps to effectively guarantee human rights. The federal government has said repeatedly that it will comply with the criteria issued by the Supreme Court in the ruling on the Radilla Pacheco case.

The Mexican government recognizes the impact on Mexican society of transnational organized crime, which is why it is doing everything in its power to dismantle these groups, strengthen state institutions and restore the social fabric of the most-affected communities, with full respect for human rights.

It is particularly noteworthy that at this juncture in the fight against organized crime, the government's response has been focused on expanding human rights, as proven by the recent constitutional reforms in human rights, the writ of amparo and the 2008 reforms in public security and criminal justice, which represent the most important expansion of rights in Mexico’s modern history.

The Mexican government recognizes that there are major challenges in the area of human rights and of its own accord it has promoted far-reaching legislative reforms and public policies.

Law enforcement officials are taking steps to ensure that crimes in Mexico are investigated and prosecuted. For Mexico, impunity is unacceptable. Regardless of whether the crimes are committed by civilians or by public servants, the Mexican government is committed to punishing whoever is responsible.

Moreover, important progress has been made in training, modernizing and enhancing the professionalism of the government’s security forces so that they act in strict compliance with human rights.

Mexico’s legal framework is able to prevent, investigate, punish and redress human rights violations. Proof of this is that, last April 23rd, President Felipe Calderon presented a cooperation agreement on respecting human rights that was signed by the ministries of the interior, defense and public security, as well as the navy and the Attorney General's Office. Also presented were protocols on the use of force, the preservation of evidence, the detention and transfer of detainees to the custody of prosecutors and the release of detainees.

These instruments reinforce the president’s instructions to security officials to make sure they conduct their duties in adherence to human rights.

Regarding protection for human rights defenders and journalists, the Mexican government believes the tireless work of these groups is essential for democracy and accountability, and it has taken steps to protect it by implementing protective mechanisms for journalists and human rights defenders.

Congress recently passed a law for the protection of human rights defenders and journalists. Currently, the Interior Ministry is taking the steps necessary to implement this law, which is close to publication.

The instructions of the Secretary of the Interior is to address any type of attack on journalists and human rights defenders that threatens their safety and to ensure that the protective measures provide all necessary guarantees, such as transportation to a safer place and the provision of security.

Regarding migration, in addition to the law that has already been published, the Interior Ministry will soon present the rules and regulations to the Migration Act, which will help improve protection of migrants’ rights.

Lastly, it should be noted that the Mexican government is making efforts to combat the crime of enforced disappearance. On April 17, the law creating a national registry of missing and disappeared persons was published to establish a registry that coordinates the efforts of the federal and state governments regarding missing or disappeared persons.

The law also includes individuals who are in care facilities, shelters or detention centers whose personal information, identity and address are unknown in order to help return them to their families and place of residence. This law is currently being implemented.