Monday, April 14, 2014

The USA and Mexico hold Bilateral Talks on Human Rights

Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The United States and Mexico held the 6th round of the Bilateral Dialogue on Human Rights in Mexico City on April 3.  Mexico and the United States agreed to seek new opportunities to work together to protect and promote human rights.  Respect for human rights is a priority for both governments, which value their ability to maintain a frank, results-based and constructive dialogue on these issues.

The meeting covered a wide range of bilateral human rights issues, including developments and strategies in the field of human rights. Topics addressed included the prevention of torture and disappearances, military justice, human rights in the fight against terrorism, and violence against women and persons with disabilities.  In addition, each delegation presented views on freedom of expression and actions to protect journalists and human rights defenders.  They exchanged views on issues regarding the death penalty and consular notification. The human rights of migrants and those pertaining to vulnerable migrant groups were also addressed.  The delegations discussed the value of improved cooperation at their shared border to reduce incidences of violence.

The United States and Mexico also discussed multilateral cooperation, including our collaborative efforts within the United Nations Human Rights Council, the UN General Assembly, the Organization of American States, and the Open Government Partnership (OGP).  Both sides agreed that sustained engagement in multilateral fora will enhance cooperation and strengthen common positions in support of international standards on human rights.

The Mexican delegation was headed by Ambassador Juan Manuel Gómez Robledo, Deputy Secretary for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE); Lía Limón García, Under Secretary for Human Rights at the Interior Ministry (SEGOB); and Ricardo García Cervantes, the Deputy Attorney-General for Human Rights (PGR); with additional representatives from the military (SEDENA and SEMAR), the National Security Commission, and the Office of the Presidency.  The U.S. delegation was headed by Roberta Jacobson, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs; Michael Kozak, Principal Deputy Secretary of State for the Bureau of Democracy, Rights and Labor; and E. Anthony Wayne, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico; it also included representatives from the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

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Joint press release, Apr. 3, 2014, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), Mexico, DF; translation by SRE