Mexico legislator proposes marriage annulment reforms for domestic violence victims

A legislative proposal has been introduced in the State of Mexico to reform the Civil Code regarding the annulment of marriages due to violence. Deputy Itzel Daniela Ballesteros Lule of the Morena party seeks to eliminate the current one-year statute of limitations that begins once violence has ceased.

Ballesteros argues that the existing timeframe imposes an impossible burden on victims who may remain in hostile, controlled, or economically dependent environments for extended periods. The proposal suggests that the right to seek annulment should not be subject to a deadline as long as violence persists or conditions exist that prevent a victim from reporting safely.

The reform also aims to implement a gender perspective in how violence is assessed, considering risk contexts and the repetition of acts. It would cover physical, psychological, economic, sexual, and emotional violence. Additionally, the proposal requests that judges issue immediate protection measures if violence is still ongoing at the time the annulment is requested.