PAN deputy, Olivia Garza, presented an initiative that proposes imposing penalties of up to 20 years in prison for public officials of the Government of Mexico City who commit acts of torture. In a press conference, Garza explained that between 2021 and 2024, the Human Rights Commission of Mexico City issued 12 recommendations for acts of torture committed by public officials.
Garza indicated that the recommendations documented acts of torture against more than 100 people carried out by officials from three government institutions: the capital police, the local prosecutor's office, and the Penitentiary System. The deputy mentioned that the proposal seeks to increase the current penalty from 3 to 12 years in prison for public officials guilty of acts of torture and to send a clear message that torture will not be tolerated in the capital.
In relation to this, the coordinator of the National Action Bench, Andrés Atayde, highlighted the parliamentary group's commitment to the defense of human rights by presenting the initiative to raise the penalties against public officials who commit torture. "What we are proposing is that this penalty be raised to a range of 5 to 20 years in prison," Atayde pointed out.
Garza mentioned that of the issued recommendations, three have not been accepted by some authorities, emphasizing that human rights must be respected, fulfilled, and guaranteed. The deputy stressed that human rights are non-negotiable and urged authorities to accept the recommendations to prevent the repetition of these acts.
Andrés Atayde noted that in Mexico City, more than 2,000 cases of torture and cruel treatment have been opened in recent years, representing over 20% of the national total. From National Action, it is considered necessary to establish measures that instill fear among those who commit these crimes.
