Mexico Faces UN Criticism over Human Rights Violations, Torture

The United Nations High Commission for Human Rights expressed concern Thursday over human rights violations perpetrated by Mexican security forces after a deadly shootout Sunday that resulted in 11 deaths near a resort in Acapulco. 

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The U.N.'s office in Mexico said they had registered information on "torture and ill treatment, disrespect for the right to a legal defense, evidence fabrication against some detained people, raids conducted without warrants, and poor detention conditions."

Mexican security forces were also denounced by the U.N. for attacking journalists who attempted to report on the shootout, specially the grave attack against Bernardino Hernandez who has been hospitalized. 

At least a dozen Mexican journalists were killed during 2017, Mexico's deadliest year recorded. 

The U.N. statement claims "these acts constitute not only an obstacle to freedom of expression and the right to independent and plural information, but could also represent an attempt to hide or destroy evidence of grave human rights violations."

Jan Jarab, representative for the U.N. rights commission in Mexico, called for "all deaths to be investigated, including those that took place during police operatives." At least 30 people were arrested by Mexican security forces.

Human rights violations, disappearances and killings by state officers are common in Mexico, and are expected to increase. 

Some analysts and human rights organizations, including the U.N., have spoken against the newly-approved Law of Internal Security claiming it will allow greater abuse and impunity as it allows for further militarization.