MEXICO / GENEVA (12 June 2014) – United Nations human rights expert Christof Heyns today warned that “violations of the right to life take place at an unacceptably high rate in Mexico.” Mr. Heyns urged the Mexican authorities to address the situation head on and put an end to impunity.
“The realization of the right to life is under serious threat in Mexico and addressing it should be a top national priority,” said the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions during the presentation of his final report on Mexico to the UN Human Rights Council, in which he puts forward 30 recommendations to ensure enhanced protection of the right to life in the country.
“A heavy-handed military approach is unlikely to improve the situation,” the independent expert stressed. “What is called for is systematic, holistic and comprehensive strengthening of the rule of law, a critical element of which is ensuring accountability for abuses.”
