Mexico's human rights record blasted

[Judi Lynn]

Mexico's human rights record blasted
Despite bid to combat violence, torture, sex abuse, arbitrary arrests on the rise, watchdog report states
Feb 11, 2009 04:30 AM

Mexico's human rights efforts are falling short of its good intentions, says a report by Amnesty International.

"There is ingrained impunity for human rights violations," said Rupert Knox, a Mexico researcher with the London-based organization. "The government talks about rights in general terms. But what's lacking is a dynamic commitment that has some impact on the ground."

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Meanwhile, ongoing bloodshed and a fraying economy have undermined support for President Felipe Calderon's conservative government, and a recent poll shows public confidence sliding ahead of mid-term elections in July.

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Amnesty said the justice system is in need of broad reform, charging it continues to try cases in military rather than civilian courts; human rights defenders face persecution or detention on trumped-up charges, and indigenous communities may be harassed for opposing development projects affecting their livelihoods.

More:
http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/585539