Cablegate: Mexican Initiatives to Combat Torture

R 042308Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY MEXICO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8155

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

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