Mexico must investigate the death of five people due to military violence in Tamaulipas: UN-DH

The Office in Mexico of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN-DH) called this Wednesday on the competent national authorities to undertake a diligent, prompt and impartial investigation on the violent events that occurred at dawn on Sunday, February 26, in the Manuel Cavazos Lerma neighborhood of the city of Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, in which five people died and one more was injured, as a consequence of the use of lethal force by elements of the Ministry of National Defense.

According to the official version, the military was conducting a reconnaissance of the area to support public security when they heard shots and headed towards the point where they had heard them. As they were on their way, they saw a truck that I was speeding with the lights off and no license plates Noticing the presence of the soldiers, he sped up to avoid them, but later collided with a parked vehicle. The impact generated a roar and the members of the army reacted by firing their firearms.

last resort

In a statement, the UN agency recalled that, in accordance with international human rights standards, the use of firearms it must be the last resort, proportional to the legitimate objective pursued, with full respect and protection of human life.

“Any death related to the use of force by military personnel must be investigated independently by the civil authorities, which must have all the information and collaboration of the corporations concerned,” the text said.

Similar situations have been recorded in Nuevo Laredo in recent years, for which reason the UN Office stressed the need to carry out an objective and thorough analysis of the circumstances in which force is used and, in particular, of the measures ” that should be adopted to prevent serious violations of human rights, as well as to remove all obstacles facing the administration of justice to guarantee the prosecution and punishment of those responsible.”

In this context, the Office called for the initiation of an investigation in accordance with international standards to clarify the facts and determine responsibilities.

He also urged the authorities to take the pertinent provisions to protect and properly care for survivors and witnessesas well as human rights defenders and journalists, who have been documenting what happened in an adverse environment.

Finally, the UN-DH expressed its condolences to the families of the deceased and reiterated its recognition of the important work of the human rights activists and journalists accompanying the case.