On March 12-13, a delegation of senior officials presented the joint 5th and 6th reports on Mexico's compliance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR).
The Mexican delegation was led by the Foreign Ministry's Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights, Ambassador Miguel Ruíz Cabañas, and included David Arellano Cuan, the Labor Ministry's Undersecretary of Social Security; Senator Diva Hadamira Gastélum, President of the Senate Commission on Equality; and officials from the Supreme Court of Justice, the Federal Judiciary Council, and various federal agencies; in addition to CONAPRED, IMSS, INMUJERES, CONAVIM, the National Housing Commission and the Executive Commission for Attention to Victims.
The government delegation and committee experts held a constructive and frank discussion on the progress made in complying with the recommendations made to Mexico during the presentation in 2006 of its fourth report, with emphasis on issues related to access to justice, legislative harmonization and stronger public policies and programs in areas such as education, health, food, housing, environment, culture, the right of indigenous peoples and communities to be consulted, equality between men and women and the fight against discrimination, among others.
The delegation emphasized that economic, social and cultural rights were a priority, as were actions to ensure they are addressed along with the related challenges. It also underscored the valuable role of the discussion with the committee and of its recommendations, and the importance the Mexican government gives to following up on them. Specific mention was made of the role of civil society organizations in the discussions of these issues.
The committee chair and Rapporteur for Mexico welcomed Mexico's commitment to these issues and applauded the wide-ranging and open dialogue that provided the committee with detailed information on the various areas addressed.
By presenting its report to the CESCR, the Mexican government reaffirms its commitment to human rights and to its openness to international scrutiny and dialogue with the international mechanisms.