Features

September 17, 2008

Transitional Justice review of Mexico

ICTJ has released a new review (also available in Spanish) of efforts in Mexico to address the legacy of past human rights abuses and to combat impunity.

The review describes the "unfinished business" left in Mexico after the truth-seeking, prosecutions, and reparations initiatives that followed the political transition of 2000 failed to address the grave human rights violations from the 1960s to the 1980s. The process faced problems including poor use of resources, a focus on individual proceedings at the cost of identifying systemic problems, and a lack of political support both within and outside of the government. The review stresses the need for strong human rights legislation, increased transparency, and the involvement with civil society and victims' organizations in the transitional justice process.

The report has been submitted to the UN Human Rights Council, which will consider them as part of its Universal Periodic Review of member states' fulfillment of their human rights obligations. This review includes concrete recommendations Mexico should implement to provide justice for victims of atrocities, end impunity, and foster long-term stability.