Mexico’s Supreme Court has moved to hand over cases of human rights abuses by the military to civilian courts. The decision is a blow to the military’s culture of impunity in abuse, torture and executions.
The ruling undermines President Felipe Calderon’s resolute defence of the military during the goverment's six-year offensive against drug rings. His government had proposed that some military cases be moved to civilian courts, but this proposal did not include murder.
“A soldier should never be judged by a military court when the victim is a civilian and their human rights have been violated,” said Justice Arturo Zaldivar.
America’s director for Human Rights Watch, Jose Miguel Vivanco, said,
“This is a landmark decision of the Supreme Court. Military jurisdiction plays a fundamental role in covering up human rights atrocities committed by security forces, particularly the army.”
