Policing the Mexican Past: Transitional Justice in a Post-authoritarian Regime

This book critically examines transitional justice in Mexico, arguing that it is an example of transitional injustice, where mechanisms are intentionally implemented to produce impunity rather than justice. It offers valuable contributions to broader debates on transitional justice and prompts a re-examination of processes in other countries.

Format: Hardback
Length: 307 pages
Publication date: 23 April 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive book delves into the realm of transitional justice in Mexico, offering a critical examination of how the Mexican democratic regime addressed the severe human rights violations committed by security forces during the authoritarian era (1929-2000). Through the establishment of a Special Prosecutors Office, the book explores the diverse factors that facilitated the emergence and policing of Mexico's transitional justice process. While transitional justice is intended to contribute to the advancement of liberal democracy and yield the following benefits: truth, justice, political reconciliation, peace, this book argues that Mexico represents a case of transitional injustice. It serves as an example of how transitional justice mechanisms can be purposefully implemented in ways that ultimately result in impunity rather than justice. This book makes significant contributions to some of the broader debates within the field of transitional justice and prompts scholars to re-examine transitional justice processes in other countries with fresh perspectives.

Introduction:
Transitional justice is a critical framework for addressing the legacies of past authoritarianism and promoting democratic governance and human rights. In Mexico, the transition from a regime of authoritarian rule to a democratic one was marked by a period of profound social and political change, including the establishment of a Special Prosecutors Office (SPO) to investigate and prosecute human rights violations committed during the authoritarian era.

The Mexican Democratic Regime's Response to Human Rights Violations:
The SPO was established in 2001 as part of the broader efforts of the Mexican government to address the human rights violations of the past. The office was tasked with investigating and prosecuting cases of torture, disappearances, and extrajudicial killings committed by security forces during the authoritarian era. The SPO's work was instrumental in bringing some of the perpetrators of these crimes to justice, and in providing survivors and their families with some form of closure.

Diverse Factors Facilitating the Emergence of Transitional Justice in Mexico:
However, the emergence of transitional justice in Mexico was not without its challenges. The book explores the diverse factors that facilitated the process, including the role of civil society organizations, the international community, and the domestic political context. Civil society organizations played a crucial role in documenting human rights violations and advocating for justice, while the international community provided financial and technical support to the SPO. The domestic political context, characterized by a commitment to democratic reform and the rule of law, also played a significant role in shaping the transitional justice process.

Transitional Justice in Mexico: A Case of Transitional Injustice:
Despite the SPO's efforts, the book argues that transitional justice in Mexico is a case of transitional injustice. While transitional justice should contribute to the advancement of liberal democracy and generate the following benefits: truth, justice, political reconciliation, peace, this book contends that Mexico is an example of how in some societies transitional justice mechanisms are intentionally implemented in ways that, instead of generating justice, produce impunity.

Contributions to Transitional Justice Debates:
The book makes important contributions to some of the broader debates addressed by scholars on transitional justice. It challenges the notion that transitional justice is a universal process that can be applied to all societies without considering the specific contextual factors that shape the process. It also highlights the importance of examining the impact of transitional justice on marginalized communities, particularly those who have been historically excluded from the justice system.

Re-examining Transitional Justice Processes in Other Countries:
In conclusion, this book provides a comprehensive and critical examination of transitional justice in Mexico. It offers a valuable insight into the challenges and complexities of addressing the legacies of past authoritarianism and promoting democratic governance and human rights. The book's findings challenge the notion that transitional justice is a universal process and prompt scholars to re-examine transitional justice processes in other countries with fresh perspectives.

Weight: 549g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030944063
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022