Washington, D.C., February 19, 2020. The International Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights (Race and Equality) recognized the United Mexican States for its ratification of the Inter-American Convention against Racism, Racial Discrimination and Related Forms of Intolerance and the Inter-American Convention Against All Forms of Discrimination and Intolerance, during a reception held this past February 13 at the Art Museum of the Americas (AMA). The event also marked Race and Equality’s fifth anniversary of working for human rights in the Americas and featured the presence of the diplomatic mission of Mexico to the Organization of American States (OAS).

The reception gathered together various ambassadors and representatives of OAS Member States with members of DC-based NGOs. It also featured the participation of Luz Elena Baños, the illustrious Ambassador of Mexico to the OAS, and Esmeralda Arosemena de Troitiño, the President of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).

In her remarks, Ambassador Baños signaled the importance to the current government of Mexico of working alongside historically vulnerable communities and making use of the tools necessary to guarantee respect, integrity and dignity for all people regardless of their race, gender or sexual orientation, among others. “In this context, through the OAS and, in particular, through the [established] rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Trans and Intersex (LGBTI) people, we reiterate our commitment to ensuring that all people may exercise their right to a life free from discrimination and violence.”

Ms. Mitzi Bowen and Mr. Carlos Quesada of Race and Equality signaled the importance of ratifying these two conventions to address the discrimination that the Afro-descendant and indigenous population face in Mexico. Similarly, they commended the leadership of the Mexican government in ratifying the Inter-American Convention Against All Forms of Discrimination and Intolerance, as it allows for the Convention to enter into full force in the region, giving voice to many sectors of society that suffer from discrimination and intolerance because of their sex, sexual orientation, political opinions, migration status, birth or stigmatized health condition, etc.

Mexico is currently working towards eradicating any and all forms of discrimination. The ratification of both Conventions is another example of the many actions taken by the leadership in favor of ethnic groups and other vulnerable populations.

Mexico is the fifth country of the region to ratify the Inter-American Convention against Racism, Racial Discrimination and Related Forms of Intolerance, and the second to ratify the Inter-American Convention Against All Forms of Discrimination and Intolerance.

Race and Equality congratulates the United Mexican States once more and hopes to continue working alongside ethnic and LGBTI partners to contribute to the development of a more inclusive Mexico, free from discrimination.