**Marko Cortés Suggests Reform for Popular Election of CNDH Head; Morena Aims for Re-election**
On October 9, 2024, Marko Antonio Cortés Mendoza, leader of the National Action Party (PAN), proposed a constitutional reform for the head of Mexico’s National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) to be elected by popular vote. This initiative seeks to enhance the commission’s democratic legitimacy, turning it into a more effective defender of Mexican citizens’ rights.
Cortés Mendoza, addressing the government’s potential objections, asked, “What objection would the current administration have if the CNDH, presently ineffective, were elected by the entire country?” He clarified that while candidates need to demonstrate technical competence, the selection process would differ from elections for ministers and judges, who are often chosen more strategically rather than through public popularity.
Highlighting the CNDH’s role in protecting citizens from any form of governmental abuse, Cortés Mendoza issued a challenge to Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, urging a revision of the security strategy and the classification of narcoterrorism. This change would enable international collaboration and aid in effectively combating organized crime.
In contrast, the ruling party, Morena, has been advocating for the re-election of the current CNDH president, María del Rosario Piedra Ibarra, who has served since November 2019. This stance is controversial among opposition parties, which argue that her original appointment violated regulations against partisan connections.
In parallel with these proceedings, Piedra Ibarra introduced an initiative to transition the CNDH into a “Defensoria del Pueblo” to allegedly enhance its effectiveness in compelling authorities to follow its recommendations.
**Additional Context: The CNDH in the Political Arena**
The CNDH has also recently become embroiled in political discourse. Earlier this year, the organization released an official report critiquing Bertha Xóchitl Gálvez Ruiz, a presidential candidate from the opposition coalition. The report commended Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo of the ruling party coalition for her approach to human rights.
This report discussed political violence and risk factors with implications for Mexico’s electoral processes. It also critiqued the opposition’s alleged use of politically motivated campaigns against President López Obrador and his family, warning about the potential negative impact such actions could have on democracy and social cohesion.
Through these developments, the CNDH has faced allegations of partisanship, particularly in its public statements favoring Claudia Sheinbaum’s policies. This debate underscores ongoing tensions regarding the balance between human rights advocacy and political neutrality in Mexico’s current political landscape.