Mexican Senator proposes judicial reform for indigenous rights

Senator Antonino Morales Toledo has introduced a legislative initiative to reform the National Code of Criminal Procedures in Mexico. The proposal aims to eliminate judicial discrimination against indigenous and Afro-Mexican populations by ensuring due process through an intercultural perspective.

The initiative requires judges and prosecutors to recognize self-identification (autoadscripción) to trigger specific protections. If an individual identifies as indigenous or Afro-Mexican, authorities must provide specialized resources, including interpreters, defenders, and experts who are proficient in the relevant languages and cultural contexts.

Morales stated that the reform is necessary to prevent procedural violations—such as arbitrary detentions and lack of linguistic support—which can escalate to acts of torture. The goal is to neutralize structural inequalities and guarantee full access to justice for these communities, whether they are victims or defendants.