TORTURE WILL NOT WIN THE MEXICAN DRUG WAR

In its all-out offensive against the powerful crime syndicates that
run the drug trade, Mexico has made some impressive strides,
including the capture of the heads of almost every major cartel. But
it has also made some mistakes.

In facing down a brutal and ruthless enemy, President Felipe Calderon
was justified in taking very strong steps against the cartels. With
the local police largely compromised, Mr. Calderon chose to deploy
50,000 soldiers, as well as members of the Navy and federal and state
police, to battle the cartels. More than 46,000 people have died of
drug-related violence since 2006.

While soldiers are only deployed at the request of the state
governments, this strategy has nonetheless had some negative
consequences. Some elements within the military now stand accused of
a pervasive pattern of human-rights abuses against civilians. A
report by Human Rights Watch documents more than 170 cases of torture
- - including beatings and electric shocks - committed by the military
to extract information about organized crime; 39 disappearances that
suggest the involvement of security forces; and evidence of 24
extrajudicial killings.

While complaints against the military mount, there have been few
credible prosecutions. Of the 1,615 investigations opened in the five
states most affected by the drug violence since 2007, not one soldier
has been convicted. (Of course, many cases are still ongoing, and may
well result in convictions.)

It is naive for HRW not to expect some complaints of abuse, given
soldiers are waging pitched battles against organized crime. But to
restore public faith in the public security sector, Mr. Calderon must
reform the practice of the military investigating complaints against
itself. This process has been declared illegal by the Inter-American
Court of Human Rights, as well as by Mexico's own Supreme Court. All
cases of military misconduct should be referred to civilian
authorities, to remove the perception that soldiers have impunity.

Mr. Calderon was wise to meet a HRW delegation last week. It shows
that the President, who has bravely confronted the narco-terrorists
throughout his term, understands the need to temper Mexico's fight
with the protection of human rights. It is to be hoped that reforms
to the police and judiciary will follow. Without a proper
investigative process, Mexicans will lose faith that public security
officials will protect their rights, and come to expect the worst.