Responses of the Mexican State to the crimes against Central American migrants in transit. Analysis from an ethical and human rights perspective

• In Event: Central American and Mexican governments’ responses to the increased risks of emigration: A planned strategy or a reaction in “times of crisis”?

Abstract

The ethical reflection on migration is relatively recent; it coincides with the beginning of the globalization of migrations from the 1970s. The increase in migratory flows, the diversification of migration typology, the expansion of regions of origin and destination and above all, the growing presence of migrants without documents, have raised urgent ethical questions. In the case of Mexico, stands out the questioning about the abuses and serious violations of human rights suffered by migrants in transit to the United States. The Mexican State has dealt with the treatment of migration by means of two major paradigms: development and national security, both favor the interests of the State above the people. This understanding of migration determines and defines public policies in this area, with the central aim of managing and controlling migration flows and all the dynamics, positive and negative, related to them. These dynamics include crimes committed against migrants, ranging from assault to murder, smuggling and trafficking in persons. The type and degree of crime depends largely on the socio-demographic characteristics, the level of vulnerability of the migrant and the associated risks of migrating. In Mexico, of all offences committed against migrants in the last five years, one has registered a considerable increase: the mass kidnapping, and occasionally also mass murder, of migrants. It is a problem that prevails and because of its seriousness, it is necessary to analyze it and the governmental responses from an ethical and human rights perspective

Author

• Natalia Armijo Canto, Universidad de Quintana Roo