Although the director of Banxico, Mexico's central bank, says the national economy is steaming along nicely, not all are enjoying the ride. About half the population has not benefitted, and today Amnesty International (AI) departed from more conventional themes to address the subject of poverty in Mexico.
In a country of 112 million, 52 million live in poverty. "That is the worst human rights crisis in Mexico," AI officials said in a press release. "The government is very responsive to business interests, while ignoring its impoverished citizens." As part of its poverty awareness campaign AI is pressing Mexico to ratify an international treaty which guarantees basic economic, social and cultural rights. The government has sidestepped the proposal for three years, according to the organization. The treaty was adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 2008, and 39 nations have approved it.
Amnesty International maintains that "the treaty is necessary so that if Mexico fails to respond to its obligations, we can go before an international body and report violations. Safe drinking water, health care, education and decent housing are things which everyone is entitled to enjoy."
In April Mexican president-elect Enrique Peña Nieto told a political rally in Progreso that confronting poverty would be one of the top priorities of his administration. He has plenty of work ahead of him: Enrique Peña Nieto's biggest challenges will be economy and environment, not drug cartels.
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