The Turtle's Approach to the HRW Report

Five years ago, before blogs were a major part of my daily docket of reading (and writing), I would have been able to finish the Human Rights Watch report on Mexico's military in one sitting, two at most. Now, I hope to finish it by Christmas, reading two pages at a time during visits to Mexico's immigration office and conference calls with my boss. Luckily, I didn't have to wait long (three pages) before reaching what appears to be the report's main argument, which is vital for anyone interested in maintaining the army's participation (however limited) in battling drug runners:

Such horrific abuses directly undermine the goal of stopping drug-related violence and  improving public security. The army is currently deployed in the areas of the country most torn by drug-related violence. It would be in the military’s best interest to act and be seen to act in a manner that is professional and respectful of civilians and human rights. When soldiers commit serious human rights crimes, they damage that image, alienating civilians and generating distrust and fear of the army in populations that otherwise are best placed to assist law enforcement efforts. The abuses also run counter to one of the main purposes that the armed forces are charged with serving in public security operations: enforcing the law and protecting members of the public—not harming them.

An important reason such abuses continue is that they go unpunished. And they go unpunished in significant part because most cases end up being investigated and prosecuted by the military itself. By allowing the military to investigate itself through a system that lacks basic safeguards to ensure independence and impartiality, Mexico is, in practice, allowing military officers involved in law enforcement activities to commit egregious human rights violations with impunity.