Mexico approves military control of National Guard despite criticism
Sep 26, 2024
Mexico City [Mexico], September 26: Mexico's Senate passed a constitutional reform on Wednesday to give the military control over the civilian-led National Guard, despite criticism from human rights activists.
The decision, supported by 86 of the 128 Senators, came despite concerns from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who noted that soldiers had repeatedly been accused of human rights abuses in the past.
In a post on X, the UN body said removing the National Guard from civilian control and placing it with the military "could increase the risk of human rights abuses, including torture, arbitrary detention, forced disappearances and extrajudicial executions." An attempt to integrate the National Guard into the military failed last year due to constitutional concerns.
The National Guard, which was previously controlled by the Public Security Ministry, is responsible for fighting drug cartels and irregular migration. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune
