Mexico City Civic Culture Law reform to prevent everyday conflicts from escalating into violence, Digi Mart USA News (Mexico City): Addressing everyday conflicts before they escalate into more serious violence is the goal of the reform to the Civic Culture Law, according to Legal and Legal Services Counsel Eréndira Cruzvillegas Fuentes, who spoke before deputies in Mexico City.
The official said the proposal from Head of Government Clara Brugada Molina seeks to give authorities the capacity to prevent problems and resolve them, in addition to imposing sanctions when a person commits an offense. During a meeting with the capital’s Congress, she argued that the state’s role should cover the conditions that can prevent a conflict from growing, since decisions in this area have consequences for coexistence among residents.
According to Cruzvillegas Fuentes, the initiative brings together eight lines of work and required one year and eight months of discussion, based on perceptions of insecurity and problems related to public lighting.
Lawmakers expressed doubts about how the changes will be applied and which rules must be made clear so the public knows its rights and the consequences of committing an infraction. Mario Enrique Sánchez Flores, of the National Action Party and chair of the Commission on Civic Justice and Public Defense, warned of gaps in sanctioning auto parts theft, among other conduct, and asked for clarity on how damage will be repaired.
Jannete Guerrero Maya, of the Labor Party, said it was necessary to explain to residents that prioritizing prevention does not mean permitting violations. Royfid Torres González, of Citizens’ Movement, asked that matters falling under civic justice be distinguished from those that must be handled through criminal channels, so people know where to go and how their case can be resolved.
On the functioning of the courts, Víctor Hugo Lobo Rodríguez, of Morena, said the boroughs (alcaldías) are responsible for supporting them in public services. Xóchitl Bravo Espinosa, president of the Junta de Coordinación Política, reported that Congress will review 28 initiatives from various political forces alongside the project sent by the mayor, and a working table has already been set up in the commission in charge.
