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🇲🇽 Mexico /Crime & Justice

CNDH highlights omissions in suicide of LGBT person in Coahuila federal prison; asks for reparations to indirect victims

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • Mexico's National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) issued a recommendation regarding the suicide of an LGBTTTIQ+ individual in a federal prison in Coahuila.
  • The CNDH cited a lack of specialized care and irregularities in the investigation of the case, attributing violations of the victim's rights to prison authorities.
  • The commission also noted failures by the Coahuila State Prosecutor's Office in its investigation, particularly concerning potential omissions by prison health staff.

Mexico's National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) has issued a recommendation following the suicide of an LGBTTTIQ+ inmate at Federal Prison Center No. 18 in Coahuila. The commission found a significant lack of specialized care and irregularities in the investigation of the death, concluding that prison authorities violated the victim's rights to health protection, legal certainty, personal integrity, and life.

The CNDH, led by Rosario Piedra, directed its recommendation to the Decentralized Administrative Body for Prevention and Social Reintegration and the Coahuila State Prosecutor's Office. The investigation revealed that the victim, who entered the prison on December 28, 2020, had a history of bipolarity, hyperactivity, and suicidal ideation. Despite this, the individual received only one psychological assessment session during more than two years of incarceration.

During their time in prison, the individual experienced physical and verbal conflicts with other inmates, yet security measures were not enhanced, nor was timely psychological follow-up provided. The inmate was found deceased on February 22, 2023. The CNDH also identified violations concerning the indirect victim's rights to access justice and truth, stemming from the state prosecutor's office's handling of the case.

Regarding the Coahuila Prosecutor's Office, the CNDH concluded that the investigation failed to consider potential illicit exercise of public service or delve into responsibilities arising from omissions by the prison's health personnel. The commission recommended reparations for the indirect victims, including psychological and thanatological support. It also called for professionalization programs for prison staff, focusing on the early identification and care of inmates with suicidal ideation, and requested the state prosecutor's office collaborate on administrative investigations and provide training on the Minnesota Protocol.

About this summary

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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