Mexican Senator proposes linguistic protections for indigenous people in criminal trials

Mexican Senator Víctor Mercado Salgado, representing the Morena party, has introduced a legislative initiative to ensure that indigenous people facing criminal proceedings have access to culturally pertinent interpreters and translators. The proposal aims to address institutional deficiencies that prevent these populations from exercising their fundamental rights on equal terms.

While current legislation mandates the provision of interpreters, Mercado Salgado argues that existing laws lack the necessary standards for intercultural justice. The initiative seeks to reform the National Code of Criminal Procedures, the General Law of Linguistic Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the law governing the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples.

The proposal stipulates that linguistic assistance must be timely, effective, and respect specific linguistic variants. Furthermore, it suggests that legal actions requiring the manifestation of will or the exercise of procedural rights cannot proceed if the necessary linguistic assistance is not guaranteed. In cases where accredited interpreters cannot be located promptly, the initiative allows for the designation of individuals who can demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the relevant language and culture, subject to verification.