Supreme Court Chief Justice: 'Mexico Courts Will Defend Human Rights' The News
go to original November 11, 2012

Supreme Court (SCJN) Chief Justice Juan Silva Meza (The News)

MEXICO CITY – Supreme Court (SCJN) Chief Justice Juan Silva Meza said last week that as a free and democratic nation, Mexico will protect human rights.

Silva Meza spoke at the inaugural ceremony for the Summit of Constitutional and Regional Supreme Court Chief Justices, saying that one of the objectives of the summit is to confirm the SCJN’s willingness to position Mexico among democratic nations globally. He went on to say that all over the world, courts are facing issues such as armed conflicts, the displacement of peoples, famine, financial upheaval and the repercussions of international organized crime.

“Hopefully the common language of human rights will help us find solutions to the problems we are facing ... the SCJN ... believes in democracy, human rights, and defending the protections established by the Constitution.” Silva Meza added that it is essential for Mexico to adopt democratic principles that will safeguard human rights, particularly because of the nation’s progress over the last several years.

Recent citizen-supported policy changes and constitutional and legal agreements driven by public opinion are a positive sign, Justice Silva Meza added.

“(In) Mexico we believe that the protection of constitutional principles, (actions) demanded by a free and lawful country, is the surest way to make the new reality (we seek) come to fruition, (allowing us) to live in peace, in a country of law and institutions.”

In a video message aired at the Summit of Constitutional and Regional Supreme Court Chief Justices, United Nations’ High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay recognized the SCJN’s investigation and prosecution of members of the Mexican armed forces in civil court, adding that human rights violations fall under the realm of civil jurisdiction and should not be tried in military courts.

She went on to say that the SCJN’s decision “is an example of interpreting the Mexican Constitution based on international and regional human rights, as interpreted by competent courts.”

Pillay said that the summit, organized by the SCJN, represents a special opportunity for judicial branches, particularly supreme courts, to reflect on their role in protecting human rights.

She added that global recognition of the contents of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights can only be reached when nations harmonize their laws and constitutions with international human rights laws.

The UN high commissioner said that judges must be completely impartial in defending the human rights victims.

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