Landmark constitutional reform strengthens human rights in Mexico

Mara Gómez Pérez, of Mexico’s Supreme Court of Justice, describes the reform as “the most important step in the human rights field in recent years”.

Yet to be officially published, the reform grants constitutional ranking to human rights enshrined in international treaties ratified by Mexico. These include the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and therefore the right to food.

The effectiveness of Mexico´s Human Rights Commission is potentially enhanced by the reform, as it will facilitate more effective enforcement of human rights.The reform is representative of a growing trend among Latin American countries to incorporate human rights in a “constitutional block “ (bloque constitucional). 

FIAN International welcomes the constitutional reform as it has the potential to address obstacles to the enforcement of the human right to food in México.In carrying out the reform the Mexican Congress has taken an important step in consolidating a democratic regime based on respect for human beings, their liberties and human rights.  

FIAN encourages the Mexican Government to take a further step in the protection of the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights through the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.