A/HRC/11/37
608. Egypt thanked Mexico for the open spirit in which it engaged in the process. It
appreciated the attention given by Mexico to the rights of migrant workers and persons with
disabilities. It was confident that Mexico would make all efforts to follow up on the
recommendations it had accepted, in line with its national priorities and objectives.
609. The United States of America appreciated Mexico’s frank appraisal of the
challenges it faced and acknowledged the efforts made in the area of human rights. It
supported the recommendations made in the Working Group to bolster the Office of the
Federal Special Prosecutor and efforts to prevent and punish violence against women and
human trafficking, and to foster a safe environment for freedom of expression. It urged
Mexico to express Government support for journalists as valuable witnesses in the struggle
against impunity, corruption and lawlessness perpetuated by drug cartels and other criminal
elements. A full investigation of human rights abuses by military and security forces and
the adoption of the recommendations of the national human rights commission would also
contribute to ending impunity.
610. Belgium stressed the importance of combating impunity and referred to the
explanations by Mexico regarding its fight against organized crime. It regretted the decision
to abolish the Special Prosecutor’s office for past political and social movements. While
thanking the delegation for the information regarding the transfer of enquiries to the
Attorney-General’s office for the specialized investigation of federal crimes, Belgium
remained surprised that enforced disappearances or homicides during the “dirty war” had
been addressed on an equal footing with ordinary crimes, and encouraged Mexico to
establish a separate mechanism for enquiries relating to these crimes. Belgium welcomed
the acceptance by Mexico of the recommendations regarding violence against women.
611. Chad noted with satisfaction that Mexico had accepted most recommendations made
during the review, which demonstrated its attachment to human rights.
3.
General comments made by other relevant stakeholders
612. The national human rights commission of Mexico expressed confidence that
recommendations made in the Working Group would be followed up with the participation
of human rights institutions and civil society. It noted that the human rights of persons with
disabilities and the right to a healthy environment had not been addressed by the Working
Group. It requested that an integral analysis of all human rights issues be guaranteed in the
framework of the universal periodic review.
613. Amnesty International noted that many recommendations made during the review
were consistent with those of Mexican civil society. It recognized Mexico’s acceptance of
83 recommendations, but noted that successive Mexican Governments had made similar
commitments to address long-standing human rights issues without delivering effective
results. While welcoming legislative advances to combat violence against women, it noted
that most authorities in the country had not taken measures to implement them, and that
many continued to view the issue as a low priority. It stressed that the federal Government
had failed to demonstrate its commitment to prevent and punish violence against women,
and referred to the situation in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua City and San Salvador Atenco.
614. Human Rights Watch was concerned that Mexico had not accepted
recommendations relating to impunity for the grave human rights violations committed by
the military. It stressed that the General Prosecutor for Military Justice had not provided
one example over the last 10 years in which military courts had convicted a military
member accused of committing a human rights violation. It stressed that Mexico’s
commitment to encourage military justice reform in line with its international human rights
obligations would never be fulfilled if the military continued to claim jurisdiction over
investigations of grave human rights violations through a system of military justice that
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GE.09-16766
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