Justice in Mexico. News Report September 2008

Autor: Trans-Border Institute

Fecha: Septiembre 2008

Resumen original: Kidnappings continued to be a major concern over the last month, as officials responded to public calls for action last month, including a massive nation-wide march; experts estimate that the actual number of kidnappings far exceeds those reported to authorities. Although drug-related violence continued at slightly lower levels over the past month, a mass beheading of 12 bodies was discovered outside Mérida, Yucatán and numerous banners sporting messages from drug traffickers appeared throughout the country. Officials also believe that drug trafficking organizations were possibly involved in a grenade attack that targeted civilians in the central plaza of Morelia, MIchoacán on September 15 during celebrations for Mexican Independence Day. Prison riots possibly involving organized crime killed at least 23 people and punctuated the brief calm in violence in the border city of Tijuana, Baja California. Meanwhile, authorities revealed new information on the status of Mexican law enforcement, dozens of law enforcement officials were brought down on charges of corruption, and non-governmental organizations successfully pressured the National Human Rights Commission to take stronger action to protect human rights in Mexico. Around the states, efforts were made to strengthen citizen oversight of police and PRI legislators worked to lower the punishable age for adult crimes in Mexico City; the use of adversarial criminal procedures spread to the Mixtec-speaking region of Oaxaca; and Ciudad Juárez’s first oral trial resulted in a conviction.

Para leer el documento completo presione aquí