UN human rights high-level visit to Mexico

GENEVA (03 August 2010) – The UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Kyung-wha Kang, will visit Mexico from 4 to 7 August 2010 to participate to the 30th Triennial conference of the International Federation of University Women “Education, Empowerment and Development” which will focus, among other things, on the advancement of women through lifelong learning, and the challenges to women’s empowerment in the 21st century.

Ms. Kang will meet with high-ranking members of the Mexican government, the president of the National Human Rights Commission and representatives of civil society organizations to exchange views on the joint work by the Office in Mexico of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and its counterparts, including assessing the recommendations of a report* published last October by the Office.

The Deputy High Commissioner will also discuss issues related to violence against women, sexual and reproductive rights, access to justice -especially for indigenous women-, and combating discrimination.

Ms. Kang will also visit the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Mexico. The Country Office was established in 2002 as part of a technical cooperation agreement with the Government. In 2008 a new agreement opened the doors for human rights monitoring and reporting, and extended the presence of the office in the country until 2012.

(*): Read the Report on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders in Mexico (in Spanish): http://www.hchr.org.mx/documentos/libros/informepdf.pdf

Learn more about the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Kyung-wha Kang: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/AboutUs/Pages/DeputyHighCommissioner.aspx

OHCHR Country Page – Mexico: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/LACRegion/Pages/MXIndex.aspx

For more information, please contact:
In Mexico City: Rosa Gutiérrez (Tel: +5255 5061 6374 / RGutierrez@ohchr.org).
In Geneva: Xabier Celaya (Tel: +41 22 917 9383 / email: xcelaya@ohchr.org).