The disappearances of people, impunity, violence against journalists and human rights defenders, as well as the persistence of gender-based violence, continue to be some of the main challenges facing Mexico in the area of human rights, warned the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, at the conclusion of his official visit to the country.
After holding meetings with federal authorities, members of the judiciary, legislators, public human rights bodies, business representatives, civil society organizations, and victims’ groups, the UN official stated that Mexico has made significant institutional progress and has an active civil society, although it faces structural challenges that require ongoing attention from the State.
Türk noted that Mexican civil society continues to play a central role in defending human rights, demanding accountability, and strengthening democracy. However, he warned that violence against journalists and human rights defenders remains a constant threat, especially for women journalists and activists who denounce corruption, gender-based violence, or organized crime activities.
The High Commissioner acknowledged the importance of the Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists, which he described as a regional benchmark due to the participation of civil society in its operation. However, he deemed it necessary to strengthen its preventative capacity and ensure more timely assistance for those facing risks.
He also reported that he agreed with the Attorney General’s Office on the need to strengthen investigations into attacks against journalists and human rights defenders, and expressed his confidence that the specialized protocol for investigating these crimes would be adopted and implemented soon.
Regarding public security, he acknowledged that organized crime continues to have a profound impact on the enjoyment of human rights by millions of people and noted that drug trafficking, as well as the constant flow of weapons and ammunition into Mexican territory, continue to fuel violence.
While recognizing the efforts of authorities to strengthen security institutions, he insisted that strategies must increasingly focus on strengthening professional civilian bodies subject to effective accountability mechanisms.
Source: yucatan
