VZCZCXRO4517
RR RUEHCD RUEHGD RUEHHO RUEHMC RUEHNG RUEHNL RUEHRD RUEHRS RUEHTM
DE RUEHME #0750 0732319
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 132319Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY MEXICO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0904
INFO RUEHXC/ALL US CONSULATES IN MEXICO COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS MEXICO 000750 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON MX PGOV PHUM PREL
SUBJECT: DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY JACOBSON MEETS WITH 
NGOS TO DISCUSS THE MERIDA INITIATIVE 
 
¶1.  (SBU)  Summary.  On March 5, Deputy Assistant Secretary, 
Roberta Jacobson met with Mexican human rights/rule of law 
and security NGOs to address concerns about human rights and 
security related to the GOM's recent counter narcotics push 
and possible expanded U.S.-Mexico law enforcement 
cooperation.  Jacobson said the U.S. remained committed to 
working with the GOM in this area and emphasized that NGO's 
can and should play a key role in strengthening security 
institutions at this juncture.    Acknowledging human rights 
concerns here, Jacobson also noted that institutional 
improvements would over time lead to greater professionalism 
among security elements, and help curb rights abuses. End 
summary. 
 
2,  (U) NGO representatives present at the meeting included: 
Katia Ornelas, Director of Social and Human Development at 
the National Institute for Women, Alejandro Villanueva, 
Spokesman for Hagamos Justicia, Carlos Rios, Advisor for 
Proderecho, Martha Gabriela Mendoza Heiras, Executive 
President, Citizen Security (Seguridad Ciudadana), Jose 
Antonio Ortega, Director of the Citizen Council for Public 
Security and Prison Justice, Jacobo Sanchez Lopez, Defense 
Attorney for the Indigenous in Oaxaca, Elizabeth Hernandez 
Reyes, Secretary for Indigenous Affairs and Ana Laura 
Magaloni, Academic Investigator, Center of Research and 
Economic Studies. 
 
 
¶3.  (SBU) The representatives raised the following issues: 
human rights, judicial reform, corruption, and the Merida 
Initiative 
 
--Human Rights: In providing DAS Jacobson with an overall 
picture, several NGOs expressed particular concern with 
gender-related violence.  Katia Ornelas, Director of Social 
and Human Development at the National Institute for Women 
(INMUJERES) said "Mexico should not only address problems in 
fighting organized crime but should focus on combating 
gender-related violence."  Representatives from Oaxaca's 
indigenous community said that Mexico continues to confront 
ethnic-driven human rights problems. 
 
--Judicial Reform: Several NGOs were critical of the judicial 
reform bill passed by congress, saying that widespread 
impunity remains Mexico's most serious legal issue and that 
the reform would do little to address it.  Ana Laura 
Magaloni, Academic Investigator from CIDE (Center for 
Research and Economic Studies) said implementing reform would 
be difficult, particularly in the area of training court 
personnel.  However, indigenous groups from Oaxaca 
highlighted the benefits of recent judicial reforms passed in 
Oaxaca saying they have improved the legal rights of members 
of their community. 
 
--Corruption/transparency: NGOs also expressed concern with 
the lack of transparency among government agencies in Mexico, 
stressing in particular what they believe to the hermetic 
nature of the country's security forces.   Both Carlos Rios, 
Advisor for Proderecho and Ornelas argued that the most 
important initiative the GOM could take in this regard would 
be to develop more transparent and more accountable 
operations among law enforcement agencies.  At present, 
members of the public and civil society organizations have a 
difficult time obtaining data and information. 
 
--Merida Initiative:  Although all of the NGOs conceded that 
enhanced bilateral cooperation through a program such as the 
Merida Initiative was warranted, most argued for shifts in 
emphasis away from what they perceived to be the initiative's 
focus on hardware and technology improvements.   Rios 
recommended that the program focus more on improving policing 
at the state level, support a professionalized public 
defender function and boost salaries for police and other 
justice officials to stem corruption. Similarly, Martha 
Gabriela Mendoza Heiras, Executive President of Citizen 
Security suggested that Merida funds focus more on 
information sharing among federal, state and local law 
enforcement entities, saying there is currently very poor 
interface among them. 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  Comment: Despite their concerns with what they 
cited as significant deficiencies among Mexico's security 
forces, none of the representatives present objected outright 
to expanded cooperation, saying that Mexico needs U.S. 
support.  As ever, each had his or her own special focus or 
concern that should be addressed through such support. 
 
 
Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity and the North American 
Partnership Blog at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap / 
GARZA