Dokument #1116482
IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Autor)
According to the World Human Rights Guide,
"to practise homosexuality between consenting adults is a personal
right" in Mexico (1987, 181). Although there is "no specific
mention of homosexuality in the code of law, its practice comes
under "immorality charges"(ibid.).
According to articles in The Associated
Press and Reuters, homosexuals cannot serve in the Mexican Armed
Forces (MAF) (AP 20 July 1993; Reuters 12 Feb. 1993). Strong social
prejudices still associate homosexual behavior with AIDS and "open
homosexuality remains strictly taboo" (San Antonio Express-News 12
Dec. 1993).
The following information was obtained
during a telephone interview held on 4 January 1994 with a Mexican
lawyer. In general, Mexican society perceives homosexuality as an
immoral behavior. The machismo culture that prevails in Mexico
remains a major explanation for this attitude towards
homosexuality. However, the area called "Region del Isthmo" in the
state of Oaxaca, southern region of Mexico near the Guatemalan
border, may represent an exception to this prevalence due to the
Zapoteca indigenous culture. Within this culture, women play an
important role, often more important than men do. Homosexuals form
a sizeable community in that region, and their rights as
individuals are respected by both men and women.
For further information on the situation of
homosexuals in Mexico, please consult the attached articles.
A fax to the DIRB from the legal affairs
section of the Embassy of Mexico in Ottawa contains photocopies of
articles of the Mexican penal code that the Legal Affairs
Attach‚ considers to be related to homosexual behavior. The
fax is in Spanish and can be obtained from the DIRB upon
request.
This response was prepared after
researching publicly accessible information currently available to
the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does
not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular
claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Centro de Derechos Humanos de
Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, Mexico. 4 January 1995. Telephone interview
with researcher.
Reuters. 12 February 1993. BC Cycle. "No
Homosexuals In Mexico's Army, General Says." (NEXIS)
San Antonio Express-News. 12 December
1993. Nancy Nusser. "Mexicans with AIDS Battle Prejudice." (Mexico
NewsPak [Austin], 6 December-19 December, Vol. 1, No. 23, p.10)
The Associated Press (AP). 20 July 1993.
"A look at other nations' policies towards gays in the military."
(NEXIS)
World Human Rights Guide. 1987. Compiled
by Charles Humana. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Attachments
Reuters. 12 February 1993. BC Cycle. "No
Homosexuals In Mexico's Army, General Says." (NEXIS)
San Antonio Express-News. 12 December
1993. Nancy Nusser. "Mexicans with AIDS Battle Prejudice." (Mexico
NewsPak [Austin], 6 Dec.-19 Dec., Vol. 1, No. 23, p.10)
New York Times. 26 March 1994. "Gay Man
Who Cited Abuse in Mexico Is Granted Asylum". (Mexico NewsPak
[Austin], Mar. 14- Mar. 27., Vol. 2, No. 4, p. 10)
Additional Sources Consulted
Countries of the World and Their Leaders
Yearbook. 1988-present. Edited by Thomas F. Bowen and Kelley S.
Bowen. Detroit: Gale Research.
Latin America Press. January 1992-April
1994.
Political Handbook of the World: 1987.
1987. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. Binghamton, NY: CSA
Publications.
Political Parties of the World. 1988.
3rd ed. Edited by Alan J. Day. Chicago: St James Press.
World Encyclopedia of Political Systems
& Parties. 1987. 2nd ed. Edited by George E. Delury. New York:
Facts on File Publications.
On-line searches.
Oral Sources.