At least 111 civilians killed in Mexico's 2010 campaign against drug trafficking

At least 111 civilians killed in Mexico's 2010 campaign against drug trafficking

2011-01-27 11:28:54 GMT+7 (ICT)

MEXICO CITY (BNO NEWS) -- At least 111 civilians were killed during national security operations against drug trafficking organizations in Mexico throughout 2010, Mexico's Human Rights National Commission (HRNC) said Wednesday.

HRNC President Raul Plascencia during his annual report to Mexico's Permanent Congress Commission for Human Rights also confirmed that throughout the year, an estimated 20,000 Central American migrants were victimized through homicides or kidnapping, stating that "public insecurity is not a valid excuse to try to justify the violation of human rights."

Plascencia criticized governmental institutions, which have been unable to accept responsibilities, stating that they are "only used to receiving acknowledgments, not easily accepting comments, nor are inclined to admit any failures, as well as excessive or abusive exercise of public office."

In addition, Plascencia signaled out the most common complaints of human rights violations were brought against the Departments of National Defense, Public Security and the Marines, as well as the Mexican Institute of Social Security, the Attorney General's Office, and the National Migration Institute.

Furthermore, the HRNC President noted that five offices - the Marines, the Department of National Defense, the National Water Commission, the Department of Public Security, and Mexican Petroleum - did not accept HRNC recommendations.

"Not accepting recommendations is equivalent to assuming an attitude of contempt for the culture of legality and lack of interest in strengthening human rights and values of modern democracy," Plascencia underlined.

During President Felipe Calderon's four-year campaign against organized crime, at least 30,196 people have died, and from November through December 2010 alone, 12,456 deaths have been reported.

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