The Mexican government recognized the need to return to issues surrounding migrants in the country that are victims of abuse, reiterating the policy of commitment to human rights in general, and particularly those of migrants- independent of their immigration status. Responding to a report by Amnesty International, the government indicated that organized crime has diversified its activities incorporating other illicit actions that directly affect migrants.
In a press release the Secretary of the Interior (Secretaría de Gobernación—SEGOB), Fernando Gómez Mont, said the issue was raised after the report by Amnesty International titled, Invisible Victims: Migrants on the Move in Mexico (Víctimas invisibles, migrantes en movimiento a través de México) was released, and is being addressed by the federal government.
“Excluded from mainstream society and effectively denied the protection of the law, Mexico’s irregular migrants are condemned to a life on the margins, vulnerable to exploitation by criminal gangs and corrupt officials and largely ignored by many of those in authority who should be protecting them from human rights abuses,” said the report.
According to the report Mexico has failed to grant security within the national territory for undocumented immigrants, since most are victims of violence and abuse in which officials are involved directly or indirectly. As for responsibilities of the National Institute of Migration (Instituto Nacional de Migración—INM), the press release ensures that programs have been implemented in respects to the human rights of migrants. Amongst them were cited the right for victims to report a crimes against them and the application of a medical exam when determining admission to the station.
The communication by SEGOB added that they are working with the Federal Attorney General’s Office (La Procuraduría General de la República –PGR), the Secretariat of Public Security (Secretaría de Seguridad Pública), and the National Commission on Human Rights (Comisión Nacional de Derechos Humanos—CNDH) on a convention to combat and prevent the abduction and abuse of migrants, arguing that the search for effective solutions can only be the result of work between government organizations. They concluded that the report by Amnesty International “constitutes a valuable contribution to the prosecution and prevention of criminal conduct, especially by noting the challenges in the comprehensive and coordinated immediate action by the authorities.”
The report came out just as the United States passed the immigration law SB1070 which criminalizes undocumented immigration. President Felipe Calderon said that no country has the right to actualize their laws above human right and the guaranties they give migrants.
Sources:
El Economista. “México debe prevenir abusos contra migrantes: AI” El economista. 28 Abril, 2010.
