Background on the Issue and Key Players
In Mexico, forced disappearances have long been a significant human rights concern. The Mexican government, led by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, has taken steps to address this issue by proposing reforms to existing laws. Claudia Sheinbaum, the head of Mexico City’s government and a member of Morena party, spearheaded these reforms aimed at enhancing the federal government’s capacity to search for, locate, and identify missing persons in collaboration with state governments.
The Proposed Reforms
The reforms target three key legal areas:
- Ley General en Materia de Desaparición Forzada de Personas (General Law on Enforced Disappearance of Persons)
- Desaparición Cometida por Particulares (Enforced Disappearance by Individuals)
- Sistema Nacional de Búsqueda de Personas (National System for the Search of Persons)
- Ley General de Población (Population General Law)
These amendments aim to bolster institutions and norms that facilitate the effective search, localization, and identification of missing persons while respecting human rights.
Senate Approval and Controversy
The Senate’s Commissions on Governance and Legislative Studies approved the reforms by a vote of 20-5, with support from Morena and allies PVEM and PT, opposition from PRI’s Néstor Camarillo and MC’s Alejandra Barrales, and four abstentions from PAN.
Opposition Concerns
Néstor Camarillo from the PRI criticized the reform, labeling it as dangerous and undemocratic. He expressed concern that a single identity platform (CURP) containing fingerprints and photographs, along with the integration of biometric data for minors, would lead to mass surveillance and political control.
Alejandra Barrales from MC also raised concerns about the CURP changes, stating that incorporating biometric data for children and adolescents without proper oversight is problematic.
Human Rights Groups’ Criticism
The Center for Human Rights Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez (CDH Miguel Agustín Pro) criticized the process, stating that the discussion lacked transparency and excluded families of missing persons. The organization described the legislative process as opaque and regressive, arguing that the proposed amendments fail to address the structural causes of Mexico’s enforced disappearance crisis.
Next Steps
The approved decrees have been sent to the Cámara de Diputados (House of Representatives) for scheduling and voting during an extraordinary session on June 27.
Key Questions and Answers
- What are the proposed reforms about? The reforms aim to strengthen institutions and norms that enable the federal government, in collaboration with state governments, to effectively search for, locate, and identify missing persons while respecting human rights.
- Who supports and opposes the reforms? The reforms were approved by 20 votes from Morena and its allies (PVEM, PT), with five votes against from PRI’s Néstor Camarillo and MC’s Alejandra Barrales. Four PAN abstained from voting.
- What concerns do critics raise? Critics, including PRI’s Néstor Camarillo and MC’s Alejandra Barrales, as well as human rights groups like CDH Miguel Agustín Pro, express concerns about mass surveillance, lack of transparency in the legislative process, and insufficient addressing of the root causes of enforced disappearances in Mexico.
