This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-latin-america-15655191

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Mexico drugs war: Security forces 'committing abuses' Mexico drugs war: Security forces 'committing abuses'
(about 2 hours later)
Mexico's security forces are committing widespread abuses in the fight against drug gangs but are not being held to account, Human Rights Watch says.Mexico's security forces are committing widespread abuses in the fight against drug gangs but are not being held to account, Human Rights Watch says.
The group says its research suggests the military and police participated in 24 killings and 39 disappearances.The group says its research suggests the military and police participated in 24 killings and 39 disappearances.
It urges the Mexican government to ensure the civilian authorities investigate alleged abuse by soldiers.It urges the Mexican government to ensure the civilian authorities investigate alleged abuse by soldiers.
In response, President Felipe Calderon said his government was working hard to improve protection of human rights.
He added that the main threat to human rights was from criminals, and the state had an obligation to confront them.
Some 40,000 people have died in drug violence since late 2006 - officials say most of the victims were criminals.Some 40,000 people have died in drug violence since late 2006 - officials say most of the victims were criminals.
Human Rights Watch says its findings after two years of research in some of Mexico's most violent states strongly suggest the involvement of security forces in rights violations.Human Rights Watch says its findings after two years of research in some of Mexico's most violent states strongly suggest the involvement of security forces in rights violations.
As well as extra-judicial killings and disappearances, the US-based group says it documented more than 170 cases of torture.As well as extra-judicial killings and disappearances, the US-based group says it documented more than 170 cases of torture.
"Instead of reducing violence, Mexico's 'war on drugs' has resulted in a dramatic increase in torture and other appalling abuses by security forces, which only make the climate of lawlessness and fear worse in many parts of the country," said Jose Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. "Instead of reducing violence, Mexico's 'war on drugs' has resulted in a dramatic increase in torture and other appalling abuses by security forces," said Jose Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch.
ImpunityImpunity
Mexican President Felipe Calderon began deploying troops against organised crime gangs shortly after taking office in late 2006.Mexican President Felipe Calderon began deploying troops against organised crime gangs shortly after taking office in late 2006.
To date some 50,000 soldiers have been used, as well as members of the Navy, federal police and state and local police forces.To date some 50,000 soldiers have been used, as well as members of the Navy, federal police and state and local police forces.
According to the last official figures from January this year, around 35,000 people have died. However, other estimates suggest the number now exceeds 40,000. According to the latest official figures, from January, about 35,000 people have died. However, other estimates suggest the number now exceeds 40,000.
Human Rights Watch says it found evidence in the states it examined - Baja California, Chihuahua, Guerrero, Nuevo Leon and Tabasco - that soldiers routinely use torture to get information about cartels.Human Rights Watch says it found evidence in the states it examined - Baja California, Chihuahua, Guerrero, Nuevo Leon and Tabasco - that soldiers routinely use torture to get information about cartels.
The group says none of the cases of alleged abuse it documented are being properly investigated.The group says none of the cases of alleged abuse it documented are being properly investigated.
Despite rulings by Mexico's Supreme Court, soldiers accused of violations against civilians continue to be investigated and tried under military jurisdiction.Despite rulings by Mexico's Supreme Court, soldiers accused of violations against civilians continue to be investigated and tried under military jurisdiction.
The result, according to Human Rights Watch, is near impunity.The result, according to Human Rights Watch, is near impunity.
In the five states, military prosecutors opened 1,615 investigations between 2007 and April this year into crimes allegedly committed by troops. No soldier has been convicted.In the five states, military prosecutors opened 1,615 investigations between 2007 and April this year into crimes allegedly committed by troops. No soldier has been convicted.
Human Rights Watch says civilian prosecutors also fail to properly investigate human rights abuses.Human Rights Watch says civilian prosecutors also fail to properly investigate human rights abuses.
"Government officials routinely dismiss the victims as criminals and discount their allegations as false," said Mr Vivanco. "Officials routinely dismiss the victims as criminals and discount their allegations as false," said Mr Vivanco.
"As a result, the victims and their families are left with the burden of doing the investigations themselves to clear the names of their loved ones.""As a result, the victims and their families are left with the burden of doing the investigations themselves to clear the names of their loved ones."
"We feel powerless," said Oziel Jasso Maldonado, whose brother Rene was taken away after armed marines raided his home in Sabinas, Nuevo Leon, on 28 June 2011. Mr Vivanco said security forces needed "to be held to a different standard, not only because upholding rights is the correct thing to do, but also because it's critical for ensuring that public security efforts succeed".
The family has lodged complaints with civilian and military prosecutors but say that to date there has been no information on Rene's whereabouts or who detained him.
"The Mexican government is confronting cartels that have committed horrific crimes against official and civilians alike," Mr Vivanco said.
"But in responding, security forces need to be held to a different standard, not only because upholding rights is the correct thing to do, but also because it's critical for ensuring that public security efforts succeed."