Overview
- The initiative was formally registered in the Gaceta del Senado over the weekend and sent to the Comisiones Unidas de Relaciones Exteriores y de Estudios Legislativos Segunda for review.
- The draft would amend the Ley del Servicio Exterior Mexicano to require the Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores to activate a Protocolo de Protección Diplomática y Consular de Emergencia within 24 hours of qualifying events.
- Listed triggers for activation include serious human-rights violations such as arbitrary detention, disappearances or death-penalty threats, armed conflicts and natural disasters that endanger Mexicans abroad.
- If activated, the protocol would mandate immediate risk assessments, security alerts to the Mexican community, legal and logistical support, and contingency plans to organize evacuations.
- As a check on implementation the SRE would have to report to the Senate within 48 hours after each activation with actions taken, numbers assisted and the prevailing risk, and the proposal must still clear committees, both chambers and presidential promulgation before becoming law.