Mexico defends army courts after US rights report

[Derechos]

By MARK STEVENSON
Associated Press Writer
MEXICO CITY -- Mexico defended its military courts system on Thursday after a U.S. human rights report cited reports of alleged abuses by the army and a lack of investigation in many of the cases.

The U.S. State Department's annual human rights report cites hundreds of complaints of illegal detention, some involving abuse or killings allegedly carried out by Mexico's military, which has been called in by President Felipe Calderon to help fight powerful drug cartels.

"The military's domestic law enforcement deployment led to an increased number of reported human rights abuses, and human rights NGOs complained that an opaque military justice system led to impunity," according to the U.S. report.

Under Mexican law, soldiers accused of rights abuses against civilians are still mainly tried in military courts.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/12/1527243/mexico-defends-army-courts-after.html