#Ley3de3: Is Mexico's Civil Society Ready to Work Together for Change? Sergio Aguayo - Reforma
go to original April 28, 2016

Iniciativa ciudadana Ley 3de3 (Ley 3de3)

In 2016, Mexico meets the requirements for major transformations: a weakened regime, new actors and an international landscape which embraces change. I will focus on the first two.

Governments and parties have either not known how, been unwilling or unable to deal with the major problems of the nation. They conceal their bewilderment with silence and cynicism, although amongst them there are those who understand the seriousness of the situation and are open to interact with a society which, in turn, begins, once again, to find the channels and the leadership capable of interpreting and channeling social dissent.

Corruption, violence and impunity survive because they form a well entwined structure. It is an odious, almost impenetrable trinity. The majority of us reject it, but dissent has lacked the strength needed to fragment it. This is starting to change. The citizen’s initiative for the 3of3 Law [which would require candidates for, and holders of public office to make public their tax returns and statements of assets and investments] against corruption has garnered support and dialogues which are rare in the Senate. The same is happening regarding the issue of insecurity.

This past Sunday, marches took place in 27 cities in order to protest violence against women. It is true that the turnout was not massive, but the feminist movement going out into the streets is significant for its extensive experience in organization, protest and making proposals. This comeback has enormous potential because the struggle for women's rights has well established leadership and civic agencies across the country.

One day after the marches, a meeting of academics at The University of the Cloister of Sor Juana began. For three days they discussed the role of the university in the face of one of the "most serious crises in terms of human rights" in national history. The initiative, which came from the law school of the Ibero-American University, emerged at the right time as universities and research centers throughout Mexico are realizing that they have an obligation and that they are among the few institutions that are respected by the majority.

If the emergence of the universities takes hold, a rare phenomenon of citizen participation could be triggered.

Read the rest at Mexico Voices

Related: Mexico's Ruling Party Cries 'Witch Hunt' at Landmark Anti-Corruption Bill (VICE News)

Related: Organized Civil Society Increasingly Hemmed in by Global Elites (Inter Press Service)

Related: Five Points on Ley 3de3 and Battling Corruption in Mexico (Americas Society Council of the Americas)

Related: In Mexican Politics, the Greens Are 'Corruption Turned Into a Party' (VICE News)

Related: Why We Need to Stand United Against Governments Cracking Down on Dissent (Inter Press Service)

Translated by Angela Quick

Mexico Voices is a blogging endeavor aimed at raising the awareness of U.S. citizens regarding the destructive impact of the U.S. economic policy and the War on Drugs on Mexico — on its people, their economic and physical security and their human rights, on the nation’s dysfunctional justice system, and on the rule of law and Mexico’s fragile democracy. Visit the website at MexicoVoices.blogspot.mx

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