On 23 November 2012 the Committee against Torture (CAT) adopted its concluding observations on the combined 5th and 6th periodic reports submitted by Mexico. The CAT requested Mexico to provide, within one year (i.e. 24 November 2013), relevant information on the implementation of its recommendations to, among others, ensure or strengthen fundamental legal safeguards for persons held in custody; conduct prompt, impartial, effective investigations and prosecute persons suspected of committing acts of torture or ill-treatment and punishing those found guilty of doing so; and to protect human rights defenders and journalists.
The Fundación para la Justicia y el Estado Democrático de Derecho, A.C.; TRIAL (Track Impunity Always); Casa del Migrante, Saltillo, Coahuila; Centro Diocesano para los Derechos Humanos Fray Juan de Larios, A.C.; Fuerzas Unidas por Nuestros Desaparecidos (as) en Coahuila (FUUNDEC); Comité de Familiares de Migrantes Fallecidos y Desaparecidos – El Salvador (COFAMIDE); Comité de Familiares de Migrantes de El Progreso (COFAMIPRO); Centro de Derechos Humanos Victoria Diez, A.C.; and Mesa Nacional para las Migraciones en Guatemala (MENAMIG) submit to the CAT written information for the follow-up on the subjects concerned, in order to assess whether the
recommendations have been implemented, and to highlight the remaining obstacles. Moreover, reference is made to other issues of concern that disclose the existence of practices and situations which are not in accordance with the obligations set forth by the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
In general, it is the view of the subscribing organizations that since November 2012 there has not been a significant progress with regard to the fulfilment of the international obligations of Mexico pursuant to the Convention and, in particular, the recommendations issued by the CAT have not been duly implemented. The situation remains especially grave with regard to victims of enforced disappearance and their relatives, all the more when they are migrants.