Supporting human rights standards and transparency in Mexico’s federal judiciary

Context

Mexico recognises human rights in its constitution and in many of its laws. Although the country has made significant legal and institutional progress in recent years, the judiciary remains the object of criticism. Between 1994 and 2020, there were over 1,500 international appeals to the federal judiciary due to allegations of torture, enforced disappearance, violence against women and a lack of access to legal remedies.

Adhering to human rights in the judiciary and guaranteeing relevant international standards is instrumental in improving the human rights situation in Mexico. This requires reliable data and systematic monitoring. Public reports on the situation and on the results and impacts of measures contribute to transparency and dialogue.

Objective

The Mexican federal judiciary complies more closely with human rights obligations and standards.

Approach

The project has established a methodology to develop indicators for the Mexican federal judiciary. For instance, it uses cases of torture or violence against women as a basis on which to measure human rights aspects and legal decisions in the federal judiciary.

As part of initial pilot schemes, the project verifies the measurability of the indicators using the information available in the justice system. It then assesses the need to collect additional internal data or consult external sources of information. The findings are fed into a monitoring system that records the implementation of and compliance with international human rights standards.

In addition, informal learning, new learning and dialogue formats, knowledge forums and innovative laboratories highlight the needs and interests of judiciary staff and support the transfer from theory to practice. Infographics, didactic practical guides and new reporting formats – geared to civil society in particular – are designed in such a way as to be appealing. This removes access barriers and promotes dialogue and transparency.

Last updated: March 2023