Submission from CSW to the CESCR on Mexico

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), a human rights organisation specialising in religious freedom, wishes to draw the attention of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to the violations of economic, social and cultural rights in Mexico that also constitute discrimination on the basis of the religious persuasion of the victims. CSW’s work in Mexico began in 2011 and has focused on the right to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), but has found that this right is often violated in conjunction with violations of economic, social and cultural rights.

This submission focuses on Mexico’s obligations under international law with respect to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 1966; particularly Articles 2, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 15 as well as General Comments No. 15 (2003) and No. 21 (2009). The submission focuses only on violations of economic, social and cultural rights that occur in conjunction with FoRB violations, and draws particular attention to the realisation of these rights for religious minorities in the country.

The Mexican constitution guarantees religious freedom for all people, including minority groups. Article 24 states: ‘Everyone is free to embrace the religion of his choice and to practice all ceremonies, devotions, or observances of his respective faith, either in places of public worship or at home, provided they do not constitute an offense punishable by law.’

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