UN Hails Progress, Urges Tougher Torture Curbs in Mexico
GENEVA - Mexico has demonstrated political commitment to combat and prevent torture and important progress has been made, however, there are concerns over gaps that exist between legal frameworks and policies and their implementation in practice, experts from the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) said concluding their third visit to the country.
Between the visits, the experts acknowledged progress made by Mexico, which adopted key legislative measures, including the General Law on the Prevention of Torture in 2017 and the General Law on Health in 2023. The Government also established specialised prosecutors' offices to investigate acts of torture and strengthened its National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) with a solid legal framework and adequate resources.
"However, much work remains with regard to the implementation of torture prevention measures," said Carmen Comas-Mata, head of the SPT delegation. "We are particularly concerned by the situation observed in drug rehabilitation centers, especially those that operate privately and outside any adequate regulatory framework."
The Subcommittee noted worrying conditions and coercive practices in such centres, which operate without sufficient regulation and pose serious risks of ill-treatment.
"Addressing this situation requires urgent and decisive action by the State," Comas-Mata said.
The Subcommittee conducted this week-long visit from 25-30 January 2026, marking its return to Mexico a decade after its second visit to the country in 2016. Comas-Mata stated that the Subcommittee was grateful for the collaboration provided by the State party both before and during the visit.
The experts noted that implementation challenges persist. For example, national legislation prohibits involuntary institutionalisation, but this was not the reality observed on the ground.
"We are also concerned about the persistent problems in prompt and effective investigations of acts of torture and the fight against impunity despite the solid existing legal and institutional framework," said Comas-Mata.
During the mission, the delegation visited men and women's prisons, police stations, psychiatric hospitals, and drug rehabilitation centers. The experts conducted confidential interviews with detainees and personnel. The Subcommittee also conducted joint visits to multiple institutions alongside the NPM and held its customary meetings with Government authorities and other stakeholders.
"The delegation welcomes the creation and functioning of a competent and well-resourced NPM, which conducts important work," Comas-Mata added. "However, it is essential that full membership of its Technical Committee be named promptly, and cooperation with civil society is re-established."
The Subcommittee will submit a confidential report - including its findings and recommendations - to the Government of Mexico. The Subcommittee encourages Mexico to make the report public and engage constructively with the SPT on the implementation of its recommendations.
The SPT delegation was composed of: Carmen Comas-Mata, Head of delegation (Spain), Marco Feoli Villalobos (Costa Rica), Maria Luisa Romero (Panama) and Martin Zinkler (Germany), supported by two members of the Secretariat.
https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/02/mexico-un-torture-prevention-experts-recognise-progress-urge-strengthening
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