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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," said Jose Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. | |
Impunity | Impunity |
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 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. |
"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." |
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". | |