Mexico City. The Chamber of Deputies unanimously approved the impunity of sexual crimes committed against minors. This reform of the Federal Penal Code provides for the removal and disqualification of public officials, including ministers of religion, for the same period of the sentence imposed on them.
The opinion, approved and sent to the Executive for publication and entry into force, states that the prescription of a crime committed against a minor under 18 years of age begins to run from the moment that he reaches the age of majority, unless it is pornography, corruption of minors, sex tourism, shopping and pedophilia, without prescription.
It also replaced the Law on the Prevention and Punishment of Human Trafficking, which was repealed, with the General Law on the Prevention, Punishment and Elimination of Crimes in the Matter of Human Trafficking and for the Protection and Assistance of Victims of these Crimes.
The reform of the Federal Penal Code states that, if the person who commits the crime is “a public servant or minister of religious worship, in addition to the indicated penalties, it shall be punished with removal and loss of qualification from holding a position or commission or any other public or similar nature, up to a time equivalent to the imposed penalty.”
Rosangela Peña (Morena) emphasized that, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, in 2019 Mexico ranks first in child sexual abuse, so the approved reform “is essential to improve our criminal policy on this matter.” “.
Rocío Corona (PVEM) emphasized that the State of Mexico must strengthen institutions, powers, policies, laws and measures aimed at protecting minors and adolescents from sexual violence. The victims, he added, “must have all the tools for multidisciplinary treatment, to heal the damage caused by these crimes, which can last a lifetime.”
Fernando Macías (PAN) called on prosecutors and public ministries to, “with commitment and seriousness, pursue these types of crimes and bring justice to thousands of victims.” He also said that society is co-responsible for this type of crime.
