MEXICO CITY (AFP) – Mexico’s Senate approved of constitutional reforms that would expand the use of mandatory pre-trial detention to cover more crimes, legislation that has faced criticism from the United Nations (UN).
Currently, Mexico’s constitution allows for “preventative imprisonment” – or detention pending trial and sentencing – of people accused of crimes including femicide, organised crime, kidnapping and human trafficking.
But the government has sought to increase the number of crimes that can warrant pre-trial imprisonment, a practice condemned by the UN and human rights defenders.
The reforms, approved by the Mexican Parliament’s Lower House two weeks ago, were passed by the Senate with 94 votes in favour and 34 against.
The amendments will need to be reviewed and approved by at least 17 of the country’s 32 state congresses before coming into effect.The amendment would allow for pre-trial imprisonment in crimes against health, tax fraud and activities linked to drug trafficking.
Although pre-trial detention is limited to two years under the Mexican constitution, many have been held in jail for longer pending trial, according to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.
