Bishops of Mexico: Lack of democracy results in the violation of human rights

ACI Prensa Staff, May 21, 2023 / 06:00 am (CNA).

The bishops of Mexico called on all Mexicans to join this Sunday, May 21, in a day of prayer for the strengthening of democracy, without which a country can fall into “the violation of human rights” and “corruption.”

In a YouTube video released May 18, the Mexican Bishops’ Conference noted that “democracy and citizen participation are of vital importance for the functioning of a just, equitable, and sustainable society.”

The conference warned that “the lack of democracy in a country results in the violation of human rights, corruption, concentration of power, lack of representation, stagnation, and instability.”

Recently, the government of Mexico, headed by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, has tried to carry out a series of reforms to the National Electoral Institute (INE), the autonomous institution in charge of running elections in the country.

Attempts to reform the INE have been harshly criticized by the opposition, who say that it would reduce the independence of the electoral body and put it in the hands of the government in office.

The bishops have also criticized López Obrador’s projects in the past, describing them as “affronts to democratic life.”

In their video message, the Mexican prelates stress that democracy and citizen participation “promote the protection of rights, accountability, political stability, and economic and social development.”

“By actively participating in decision-making, citizens can contribute to building a better Mexico for all,” they emphasized.

At the end of their message, the bishops ask “God our Father and our Most Holy Mother, the Virgin of Guadalupe, Queen of Peace, to enlighten and encourage us to continue building the peace in Mexico that we so long for.”

At the end of the video, the logos of the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious and Societies of Apostolic Life of Mexico, Social Dialogues for Peace, the Jesuits in Mexico, and the Mexican Bishops’ Conference flash on the screen.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.