English  |  Français  |  Español
 
OMCT LogoOMCT logo
Make a donationRSSOMCT on FacebookOMCT on TwitterOMCT BlogHomeAbout OMCTActivitiesCATOMCT NetworkOMCT EuropeContactsMake a donation
  • Urgent campaigns
  • Assistance to victims
  • Human rights defenders
  • ESCR
  • Rights of the child
  • Violence against women
  • Monitoring protection mechanisms
 Save as PDF Print version
Urgent campaigns / Statements / Mexico / 2015 / September

Mexico: Call for the adoption of a comprehensive Law against Torture as a turning point in the fight against torture


Geneva – Mexico, D.F., 24 September 2015. With just over 100 days left before the deadline for the approval of a new General Law against torture, CMDPDH and OMCT have published an authoritative study "Proposal for the adoption of an effective, nationwide law on torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment". The document will be submitted to the members of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, following the start of the regular sessions of the Congress of the Union in early September (Legislature LXVVV).




Geneva – Mexico, D.F., 24 September 2015. With just over 100 days left before the deadline for the approval of a new General Law against torture,[1] CMDPDH and OMCT have published an authoritative study entitled "Proposal for the adoption of an effective, nationwide law on torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment". The document will be submitted to the members of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, following the start of the regular sessions of the Congress of the Union in early September (Legislature LXVVV).

This study calls upon the competent authorities in the legislative process to create a set of firm legal standards to put an end to the persistent practice of torture. The document by CMDPDH and OMCT presents the key elements for the new law on torture, based on the obligations to prevent and eradicate torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment that Mexico is bound by.

"It is necessary and essential to adopt a General Law that criminalizes torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and sets out the highest international standards on an effective prosecution of acts of torture," said José Antonio Guevara, Executive Director of the CMDPDH.

There are currently no mechanisms that ensure transparency and proper public consultation in the process of elaboration of the new law. In this context, CMDPDH and OMCT, in coordination with other non-governmental organisations, have requested that the Executive and Legislative Federal Branches establish mechanisms allowing for dialogue and for the adequate and meaningful consultation with members of civil society and anti-torture organisations.

"In our global experience it is vital for the establishment of an effective legal framework of torture to consult with those affected, civil society and anti-torture organisations. There are plenty of experience of countries that have adopted similar pieces of legislation that could inform the debate on the new law in Mexico," said Gerald Staberock, Secretary General of the OMCT.

Both organisations believe that the adoption of a new law and the inclusion of a participatory process will be a litmus test of the commitment for the eradication of torture of Mexican authorities.

For further information, please contact:

Mariana Gurrola, CMDPDH

E-mail: comunicacion@cmdpdh.org

Tel: +52 (55) 55642582, ext. 114

Astrid Salcedo Pinzón, OMCT

E-mail: asp@omct.org

Tel: +41 228094939



[1] Pursuant to the decree published in the Official Journal of the Federation on July 10, 2015 that called for the amendment of Article 73 of the Constitution.

Properties

Date: September 24, 2015
Activity: Urgent campaigns
Type: Statements
Country: Mexico
Subjects: Torture and violence

Attachments

  • Mexico ENG_2409
    2 pages / 355 KB

  • Propuestas_Ley General Tortura_2409
    64 pages / 10.22 MB

Share this

Tweet

Related articles

  • Mexico:  Open letter to the Mexican Senate: NGOs call for a General Law against Torture that meets international standards
    Statements / April 6, 2016

Languages

This page is available in:

English
Spanish


You can also translate it on the fly:

Recently Viewed Articles

OMCT International Secretariat
PO Box 21, 8, rue du Vieux-Billard, CH-1211 Geneva 8, Switzerland
Tel: + 41 22 809 4939
Fax: + 41 22 809 4929
E-mail:
OMCT Europe
Rue Franklin 111
1000 Brussels
Tel. / Fax: +32 2 218 37 19
E-mail:
OMCT TUNIS
3, Rue Hassen Ibn Nooman
Cité Jardins | Tunis 1002
Tel: +216 71 791 114
Fax: +216 71 791 115
E-mail:
  • Blog
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Rss
  • Privacy Policy