MEXICAN INITIATIVES TO COMBAT TORTURE

UNCLAS MEXICO 002656 STATE FOR DRL/MLGA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM UN MX SUBJECT: MEXICAN INITIATIVES TO COMBAT TORTURE REF: STATE 70129 ¶1. In response to the request to report on country mechanisms to prevent torture and to protect victims (reftel),Post notes that Mexico ratified the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment on January 23, 1986. Mexico also signed the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which was ratified by the Mexican Senate on April 11, 2005 and came into effect on June 22, 2006. The Optional Protocol establishes inspections of detention centers under the auspices of the National Mechanism to Prevent Torture, created in 2007. ¶2. The Government of Mexico (GOM) began implementation of the Istanbul Protocol in 2001, which contains guidance on investigating and documenting torture and other abuses. The National Human Rights Program (PNDH) charges the Office of the Attorney General (PGR) with promoting the implementation of the Istanbul Protocol in all the states of Mexico. PGR and the National Defense Secretariat (SEDENA) have provided training for officials related to medical and psychological examination of victims of torture and abuse. The PNDH includes an initiative to establish a national registry of cases for alleged acts of torture in distinct jurisdictions during the current administration. ¶3. In keeping with the tenets of the Istanbul Protocol, the GOM allows for the monitoring and supervision of the Istanbul Protocol by the international community. From August 27 to September 12, 2008, United Nations officials from the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment of the Committee Against Torture, received full access to visit a wide range of Mexican authorities as well as federal and state detention centers to address issues related to the Optional Protocol. The GOM also permitted the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC),the National Human Rights Commission, and state human rights commissions to visit detention centers. Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity and the North American Partnership Blog at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap / PASCUAL