Mexico Proposes Ban on Insults Based on Weight

Citizen's Movement proposed an initiative to ban insults related to physical appearance and body weight, as a measure against fatphobia led by deputy Laura Ballesteros. The official proposes to add three concepts to the list of prohibited discrimination motives, with the aim of explicitly recognizing fatphobia, in order to sanction those who use this method as a form of aggression against people because of their weight. In addition to incorporating fatphobia among the reasons for discrimination, authorities must implement measures, programs and public policies aimed at preventing, addressing and eradicating this type of violence, considering that the proposal indicates that one in four people have suffered aggression due to their body weight. In the case of young people, discrimination came from issues such as their weight or height, according to one of the justifications for the measure. What is the reform to classify fatphobia as discrimination? According to Laura Ballesteros' initiative, which was worked on hand in hand with the Indecibles collective, it seeks to modify article 1 of the Constitution to say the following: "All discrimination motivated by ethnic or national origin, gender, age, disabilities, social condition, health conditions, religion, opinions, sexual preferences, civil status, corporeality, physical appearance or body weight, or any other that attacks human dignity and aims to nullify or diminish the rights and freedoms of persons, is prohibited." If this initiative is approved, it will come into effect one day after its publication in the Official Gazette of the Federation, in addition to the fact that governments will have up to six months, that is, 180 days, to adjust their laws and thus include fatphobia, pointed out by authorities of Mexico City, as a form of discrimination. According to article 149 of the Federal Penal Code, sanctions can range from one to three years in prison, as well as from 150 to 300 days of community service and 200 days of economic fine for those who attack human dignity. Fatphobia, if included as a motive for discrimination if Laura Ballesteros' proposal is approved, would be grounds for sanction for all those who carry out these behaviors: Deny a service or benefit to which discriminated persons are entitled. Deny or restrict labor rights, especially by reason of gender or pregnancy, in addition to those who limit a health service. Deny educational rights. The penalty will be greater for public officials.