Massive abuse of migrants is Mexican 'human rights crisis'

By staff writers
April 29, 2010


Invisible Victims: Migrants on the Move in Mexico documents the alarming levels of abuse faced by the tens of thousands of Central American irregular migrants that every year attempt to reach the US by crossing Mexico.

“Migrants in Mexico are facing a major human rights crisis leaving them with virtually no access to justice, fearing reprisals and deportation if they complain of abuses,” explained Rupert Knox, Mexico Researcher at Amnesty.

“Persistent failure by the authorities to tackle abuses carried out against irregular migrants has made their journey through Mexico one of the most dangerous in the world,” he added.




One victim cited by Amnesty, called Veronica (not her real name), said that Federal Police forced her and the other migrants to leave the train and lie face down on the ground, before stealing their belongings and threatening to kill them unless they continued their journey by foot along the railway.


Two suspects were later detained after a local activist helped the migrants file a complaint but no action was taken against the Federal Police, despite migrants identifying two officers allegedly involved.

“Mexico has a responsibility to prevent, punish and remedy abuses whether these are committed by criminal gangs or public officials,” declared the NGO's Rupert Knox.

The new report calls for immediate action to ensure migrants’ access to complaint mechanisms regardless of their status and ensure effective investigations.

The vast majority of migrants travelling through Mexico are Central Americans headed for the US border in search of work.


The Mexican government has often stated its commitment to protect the rights of migrants, whatever their legal status and is a leading promoter of migrants’ rights on the international stage.

Despite some welcome measures in recent years, for example better protection of the rights of unaccompanied children and criminalisation of people trafficking, this has often in reality failed to prevent and punish abuses against migrants.

Amnesty International’s recommendations to address the human rights crisis include legislative reforms to ensure access to justice; the establishing of a federal task force to coordinate and implement rights measures, and compiling and publishing data on abuses against migrants and the steps taken to bring those responsible to account, including public officials.

Church groups are among those rigorously campaigning for migrants' rights and dignity.

