Page 68 - Empowerment and Protection - Stories of Human Security

MEXICO
Conclusion
and recommendations
POPULATION
as the perspectives here demonstrate, many citizens view impunity, corruption, the presence of de facto powers outside the law, and human rights violations as the main obstacles to improving human security in Mexico. from a ‘top down’ perspective, institutions, procedures, and rules face several challenges in adequately protecting citizens from threats to their safety.
122.3 MILLION IN 2013 (WORLD BANK 2014)
participation are necessary for legitimate security policies because they promote resiliency and accountability.
Since the federal administration changed in 2000, several key institutions have been reformed. Those reforms intended to promote a more democratic and transparent regime capable of decreasing impunity. President Calderón’s administration made significant institutional changes to reduce violence. In 2008 the Constitution was reformed, deeply changing the criminal procedures and courts in
ffffffffffPOPULATION DISTRIBUTION BY AGE
18,1% 15-24
40,4% 25-54
Impunity is a key challenge to building a peaceful
social environment and trust in public institutions.
For example, the public prosecutor agencies solve =10o.0rd0e0r.t0o0p0romote a greater access to justice, the
only 13 percent of the preliminary investigations initiated.11 In 2011, less than 20 percent of reported murders were solved.12 The failure of
the state to enforce the rule of the law generates even more illegal behaviors. As one interviewed community member said, “impunity is an incentive
presumption of innocence, and the respect of
human rights.14 In 2011, a constitutional reform
on human rights was approved, which recognised
the pro homine principle, and the preeminence of
international treaties on human rights.c
In 2012, President Peña Nieto announced
a new security strategy, summarised in the
‘National Development Plan 2013-2018’ and the
government-opposition ‘Pact for Mexico’. Among
the government’s new priorities are strengthening
the legal framework on the rights of victims,
implementing changes in the new criminal justice
system, launching a new model of public security
and law enforcement to create greater capacities for
investigating and prosecuting offenses, and creating
a National Program for Crime and Violence
15 Prevention.
Experts and civil society interviewees highlight some key achievements of the first year of the new administration and the sessions of the Federal Congress in 2013. As an interviewee stated, “the new government’s discourse is a little bit more open concerning human rights. Some measures have been taken. For example, thanks to social pressure the new government published the
Law on the Rights of Victimsd and appointed a Federal Prosecutor for Enforced Disappearances.”
to act outside the law.” De facto powers, both
criminal and official, that act above the law, 27,9% 0-14 further weaken the ability of institutions to deter
crime. Impunity is closely related to concerns
about corruption and the lack of transparency
and accountability. Interviewees from different sectors agree that corruption is rampant in all
levels of government. In a vicious circle, corruption 7% 55-64and impunity feed crime and empowers de
6,6% 65+ facto powers, all of which weaken government institutions.
(INDEX MUNDI 2014T) hese failures of the state to guarantee human security and human rights impact public
confidence in government institutions. According
to México Evalúa, one of Mexico’s leading
think tanks, the rate of non-reported crimes has
increased in recent years. In 2004, it was 80
percent and in 2007 it increased to 87 percent;
and in 2010 it reached 92 percent. Two out of
three people have little or no confidence in the
police. Only 10 percent of respondents said they
were very confident in the public prosecutors.13
GLOBAL PEACE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
This shows growing public mistrust of the Another example mentioned by interviewees is
institutions responsible for providing security
INDEX 2014 and justice. INDEX 2013 c The pro homine principle emphasises providing broad as opposed to
71limited protections for individuals and human rights. The presumption of innocence requires the state to prove defendants are guilty in court. The constitutional reform also requires the Mexican government to abide by international treaties on human rights.
persons through the rule of law and human rights.
138
openings in government reforms
The human security approach expands people’s
162
187
capabilities and freedom of development. From
d The General Law on the Rights of Victims was approved by chambers of Congress in April 2012. After the general elections, the President sent
this perspective, it is necessary that institutions
and public policies protect the security of all
observations to the text approved by Congress, delaying the enactment of the law; however, Congress considered that the period to send observations had expired and ordered the law’s publication. The President filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court. The enactment of the law remained uncertain during the lawsuit, until the new President, Enrique Peña, withdrew the lawsuit.
Human security also emphasises the importance
(IEP 2014) (UNDP 2014)
of empowering citizens. Democracy and citizen 68 SToRieS of HuMan SecuRiTY | MexiCo