V. Vulnerable and frequently targeted groups and individuals

45. The Special Rapporteur observed with concern the high number of killings of vulnerable persons and recommended that full, prompt, effective, impartial and diligent investigation of homicides perpetrated against women, migrants, journalists and human rights defenders, children, inmates and detainees and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals be ensured (para. 111). The Government replied that, in addition to the implementation of the new adversarial accusatory system, eight protocols had been issued by the Supreme Court to facilitate the judiciary’s compliance with human rights obligations, including with regard to: (a) children and adolescents; (b) indigenous peoples; (c) the gender perspective; (d) sexual orientation and gender identity; (e) persons with disabilities; (f) migrants and persons subject to international protection; (g) torture and ill-treatment; and (h) development and infrastructure.

49. Regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, in June 2015, the Office of the State Attorney General published an action protocol to be followed by its personnel who intervened in cases involving sexual orientation or gender identity.

F. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals

62. The Special Rapporteur noted the alarming pattern of grotesque homicides of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and the broad impunity for these crimes, sometimes with the suspected complicity of investigative authorities. He recommended that police and other authorities be trained on gender-identity and sexual-orientation awareness, that protective and precautionary measures be ensured and that societal tolerance be encouraged (para. 119). The Government replied that the 2014 reform of the Federal Act for the Prevention and Elimination of Discrimination included homophobia and violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation as acts of discrimination. Fifteen federal entities had adopted constitutional provisions prohibiting discrimination on these grounds. The Government had instituted the National Day for the Fight against Homophobia and adopted the National Programme on Equality and Non-Discrimination for 2014-2018, which included several lines of work to combat violence and discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. The Government also recalled the July 2015 protocol of the Office of the State Attorney General in this field. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights observed that 42 homicides of transsexual persons and 37 homicides of homosexual men had been reported between January 2013 and March 2014.30 While the Special Rapporteur takes note of the measures adopted to combat violence and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, he is dismayed to learn about the recurrence of violence against them. He observes the lack of information concerning training initiatives.

Link to full text of the report: report-sreje-mexico-2016-eng