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Violence against immigrants "is a rule in Mexico"

The Slaughter of 72 immigrants in Tamaulipas

By: Jorge Yeshayahu Gonzales-Lara.


Sociologist MA, CASAC.
Blog: La Diaspora Peruana

indicated that outraged and concerned about the level of


The Slaughter of 72 immigrants in Tamaulipas. violation of the safety of undocumented migrants in
Mexico. The Organization of American States demanded
The killing of 72 Central and South American migrants clarification and do justice for these crimes.
whose bodies were found in Tamaulipas, Mexico has
uncovered impunity in Mexico. The Brazilian government The international outrage for these murders is against a
described the incident as a tragedy, and that sentence be backdrop of institutional performance of Mexico
added those made by the authorities of Honduras, El government policy on migration and security
Salvador and Ecuador. The United Nations in Mexico exasperating, resulting in the breakdown of the rule of law
and a profound helplessness to virtually anyone crossing recent report of the Commission on Human Rights in
the Mexican territory. Mexico, revealed that 9.758 immigrants were abducted
over a period of six months. The Mexican government
The picture of widespread violence and lawlessness, the more aggravating is that this happens frequently and none
federal government cannot merely point out that the of the cases have received justice and most have not even
murder of migrants in Tamaulipas is a reflection of the been investigated.
degree of violence and barbarity with which the criminal
act. This shows the weakness of the Mexican State and The lack of willingness to investigate violations and
the complicity of institutions to meet their basic functions abuses against immigrants has contributed to a climate of
of protecting the integrity of everyone within Mexican impunity where neither criminal nor corrupt officials are
territory, regardless of their nationality and immigration not punished for crimes committed against immigrants.
status. The abuses suffered by migrants are rarely investigated
unless punished, sure the report: "Invisible Victims." The
The case of the slaughter of Tamaulipas exposes the report revealed that 8.478 immigrants suffered death
violence of criminal gangs converge with indolence threats, in pre-judgment of them or their families and
government towards the situation of undocumented were imaged with firearms or stabbing, but paid the
migrants in Mexico and is reflected in official and social ransom. 1.456 Moreover immigrants were beaten with
treatment as demeaning, not only contravenes ethical and fists, feet, arms, sticks and other objects.
humanitarian considerations , but breaks the law in the
context of an increasingly militarized country multiplies Children and women are more vulnerable, human
the risks of foreign tourists or transit migrants are abused, traffickers, forced prostitution and sexual assault victims.
exploited, extorted and, as in this case, killed either by 6 out of 10 women who cross the borders of Mexico are
members of the public forces or by gang members narco- raped in the Mexican territory to complacency accomplice
terrorists, criminals. of the Mexican authorities, because in many cases are
involved directly or indirectly.
They are significant in this regard, data recently provided
by the National Commission on Human Rights of One of the ironies of the debate on immigration reform, is
Mexico, the kidnapping of migrants in Mexico surpassed that Mexico used the army and local police to detain,
the 10 000 cases in the six-month period September 2009 arrest immigrants mostly from Central America, but
to February 2010. This shows the complacency of the argues that the United States use the army and local police
Mexican government and gangs operating impunity to protect the borders.
traffickers.
The victims are virtually excluded from the Mexican
justice system because of immigration status; many
Violence against immigrants "is a rule in immigrants become victims of extortion by Mexican
Mexico" authorities. Immigrants in Mexico are excluded from any
public office, including naturalized Mexican citizens, for
The Mexican state, government and institutions of office in Mexico's national judiciary, or are members of
Mexican society are complicit in abuses against the chambers of Congress, state legislatures, not courts
immigrants. The recent report by Amnesty International integrate the judiciary, not engage in political discourse,
(AI) "Invisible Victims: Migrants on the move in including certain property rights, nor can they be soldiers,
Mexico," reveals that the Mexican State has failed in its police, excluded from being members of the clergy. They
duty to ensure security for all within its territory, since in can be expelled from Mexico without prior notice and
all cases of abuse are an official involved directly or without legal process. Foreigners residing in Mexico do
indirectly, acts or omissions. The authorities are always not have the same rights as Mexicans in the United States.
complicit in these crimes against immigrants of various
nationalities: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, among A situation that seems to enable discussion and since the
other nationalities. Mexican government position requires U.S. equal
treatment for immigrants, where the lack of will and
The violation of human rights "is the norm in Mexico." complicity in abuses against immigrants has created a
Undocumented immigrants are victims of robberies, climate of impunity.
assaults and extortions. Mexico faces an influx of illegal
immigrants has increased by 70% in recent years. During The Center for Security Policy in Mexico stands out
the period of 2009, more than 240,000 immigrants were among other aspects that foreigners residing in Mexico do
arrested and deported to their countries of origin in not have the same rights as Mexicans living in the United
compliance with the immigration laws of Mexico. In the States.
The restrictions the Mexican constitution
highlights:

• No participation in political speeches.


• They are denied certain property rights.
• They are denied the right to employment equal to those
born in Mexico.
• Naturalized citizens or resident aliens will never be
treated the same way as real Mexican citizens.
• Immigrants and naturalized citizens are not to be trusted
in public service and can-not be soldiers, police or law
enforcement officials.
• Nor can-not become members of the clergy.
• Those who acquire Mexican nationality can lose if they
return to their country of origin and remain there for more
than five years.
• It is permissible for an ordinary citizen making the arrest
of resident aggressors.
• They can be expelled without notice or formality.

These are some of the inconsistencies regarding the


human rights of immigrants without being able to provide
it without discrimination, social exclusion and / or
policies, which are evident in Mexico and a rule violation
of civil rights, social and human.

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