Officials from the Secretariat of Government Affairs (SEGOB) met with United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions, Christof Heyns, who "showed particular interest" in learning about the legal framework of military jurisdiction in Mexico and, in general, aspects of the Code of Military Justice.
Of particular concern to Heyes is Article 57 of this Code regarding crimes committed by soldiers and the circumstances in which they are tried by military courts.
The National Commissioner of Security, Manuel Mondragón y Kalb, and the Executive Secretary of the National Public Security System, Monte Alejandro Rubido, explained to the rapporteur aspects of the security strategy of the government of Enrique Peña Nieto and specified for him the latest statistics for intentional homicides.
SEGOB sources said that the meeting, held at the Palace of Covián, was also the occasion to explain to the UN representative aspects of the database of nearly 27,000 "persons not located", according to the list currently being debugged by the federal government.
The National Commissioner of Security, Manuel Mondragón y Kalb, and the Executive Secretary of the National Public Security System, Monte Alejandro Rubido, explained to the rapporteur aspects of the security strategy of the government of Enrique Peña Nieto and specified for him the latest statistics for intentional homicides.
SEGOB sources said that the meeting, held at the Palace of Covián, was also the occasion to explain to the UN representative aspects of the database of nearly 27,000 "persons not located", according to the list currently being debugged by the federal government.
Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN)
For his part, the President of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN), Juan N. Silva Meza, received Heyns in his offices, and assured him that for the Judiciary of the Federation it is a priority to "to gather all the information relating to the protection of human rights contained in international treaties and agreements", so the Mexican justices "might prepare better judgments".
He also affirmed that the Supreme Court is interested in strengthening ties with organizations that defend fundamental guarantees, domestic and foreign, and he expressed total support for the work done by groups like the United Nations, besides pointing out that one of the Supreme Court's priorities is precisely the issue of human rights, so the Court will continue to develop legal principles consistent with international instruments in the field.
For his part, the President of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN), Juan N. Silva Meza, received Heyns in his offices, and assured him that for the Judiciary of the Federation it is a priority to "to gather all the information relating to the protection of human rights contained in international treaties and agreements", so the Mexican justices "might prepare better judgments".
He also affirmed that the Supreme Court is interested in strengthening ties with organizations that defend fundamental guarantees, domestic and foreign, and he expressed total support for the work done by groups like the United Nations, besides pointing out that one of the Supreme Court's priorities is precisely the issue of human rights, so the Court will continue to develop legal principles consistent with international instruments in the field.
Human Rights Commission of the Federal District (CDHDF)
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of the Federal District (CDHDF) delivered to Heyns a report documenting forty-seven complaints related to violations of the right to life, as a result of the use of force by Mexico City authorities. The cases investigated occurred between 2006 and March of 2013.
The public agency, chaired by Luis González Placencia, found that in 77 percent of the forty-seven cases "there is sufficient evidence to assume that it is about extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions"; in three cases (4 percent) lack of expertise by the relevant authorities was documented, which resulted in the loss of human lives; and in the remaining 19 percent it is shown that "the authority acted in legitimate self-defense".
The CDHDF report points out that 68 percent of cases involved police from the Secretariat of of Public Security of the Federal District [Mexico City], and the remaining 32 percent were with the Mexico City Attorney General's office [Investigative Police].
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission of the Federal District (CDHDF) delivered to Heyns a report documenting forty-seven complaints related to violations of the right to life, as a result of the use of force by Mexico City authorities. The cases investigated occurred between 2006 and March of 2013.
The public agency, chaired by Luis González Placencia, found that in 77 percent of the forty-seven cases "there is sufficient evidence to assume that it is about extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions"; in three cases (4 percent) lack of expertise by the relevant authorities was documented, which resulted in the loss of human lives; and in the remaining 19 percent it is shown that "the authority acted in legitimate self-defense".
The CDHDF report points out that 68 percent of cases involved police from the Secretariat of of Public Security of the Federal District [Mexico City], and the remaining 32 percent were with the Mexico City Attorney General's office [Investigative Police].
Christof Heyns will remain in Mexico until May 2. During his stay he will meet with federal and local authorities, as well as with victims, witnesses and representatives of civil society organizations. Spanish original