Mexico Militarized?

Translated by Otis B Fly-Wheel for Borderland Beat from a Reforma article

Subject Matter: Militarization of Mexico
Recommendation: No prior subject matter knowledge required

These are the measures of the Law of Internal Security approved by deputies and that have been questioned by the Opposition and Non Governmental Organizations

The application of the Law of Internal Security will correspond to State and Federal forces, and in exceptional cases to the Armed Forces.

Where there is major violence, more soldiers

The armed forces could participate in work to combat crime when the civilian authorities do not have the resources




The presence of Armed Forces: by order of the President

The President could petition the State Legislature or Governors, to order the deployment of Armed Forces to a territory for around a year, and the executive could in exceptional cases prolong the stay of the elements past this time.

The Army can also be deployed to streets anywhere in a national emergency, without any other requirements, as an immediate reaction of the Armed Forces.

Civilian Protests will not be considered threats

Social protests or electorial political motives will not be considered as threats to the internal security.

Defense of the country with respect to Human Rights

At all times, the authorities must respect the Human Rights and the constitutional guarantees.

Exceptions

In the case of no emergencies, the Armed Forces can only intervene in any territory during the emission of a Declaration of Protection of the Interior Security.

Segob in command of Interior Security

The Secretary of the Government will be in charge of implementing collaboration schemes for the coordination and execution of security actions.

Work compliance

Federal authorities must comply with policies, programs and preventative actions that are given by the Program for National Security and the National Risk Agenda.

The National Risk Agenda is approved annually by the head of the Executive within the National Security Council at the proposal of the Technical Secretary.

The ANR identifies alerts and threats to the National Security, the probability of its occurrence, the vulnerabilities of the State in respect of diverse phenomena and the possible manifestations of the same.

" We urge alternative thoughts, like the gradual exit of the Armed Forces, with nothing immediate. They also must reinforce the Police." Jon Jarab, representative of the high commission of the United Nations for Human Rights.

"The great challenge for Mexico is the security problems that come from organized crime. This challenge should be solved by designing a policy of Police control." Jose Miguel Vivanco, Director of the Human Rights Watch of the Americas.