A few days before the end of the current legislature, the deputies of Mexico City They approved that the law 3 of 3 enter into force until 2030 and not this year.
Nine months ago, the capital’s legislators ratified that No rapist, alimony debtor or sexual harasser should hold an elected public office or who is an official in the three levels of government. Thus, in November 2023, numeral 11 was added to article 10, section C, of the Constitution of Mexico City. This says verbatim:
“No person who falls into the following situations may hold a job, position or commission in the public service, nor may they register as a candidate for elected office:
“a) Have a final sentence for the intentional commission of crimes against life and physical integrity; against sexual freedom and security, and normal psychosexual development;
“b) Has a final sentence for crimes of family violence, domestic or equivalent family violence, violation of sexual privacy; for political violence against women based on gender, in any of its forms and types, or
“c) Is registered in the Registry of Delinquent Alimony Debtors, unless he/she proves that he/she is up to date with payments, cancels said debt or the corresponding discount is processed.”
As provided for in the local Constitution, Law 3 of 3 was due to come into force on August 31, 2024however last week the deputy and Mayor-elect of Magdalena Contreras, Fernando Mercadoproposed to modify the deadline.
“On August 23, 2024, Deputy Fernando Mercado Guaida submitted the proposal under the argument that This proposal will guarantee the rights established in the aforementioned article. (…) efficient planning and budgeting is required, in which there is consistency and sustainability of public finances; hence, both administrative measures (planning and budgeting) and legislative measures (addressing the proposed reform) are necessary, always considering the maximum resources available to Mexico City, without forgetting that the full effectiveness of the rights of all persons recognized by the Constitution must be progressively achieved,” the ruling justifies.
According to this document, Mercado’s intention is “Guarantee the rights of workers in public institutions in Mexico Citymust be done in congruence and sustainability of public finances, in order to also, guarantee all other rights of people who live and travel in the country’s capital”.
The postponement until 2030 allows for Those people sentenced for domestic violence, sexual harassment or who are in debt to pay alimony can work during the administration of Clara Brugadasince their mandate ends just that year, or that they can work as mayors and even compete for re-election.
The local PRD deputy Polimnia Romana Sierra Bárcena denounced this trap that was hidden by the Joint Commissions of Constitutional Points and Citizen Initiatives and the Budget and Public Accounts Commission “because protects debtors of alimony who work in the local government”.
“What is the hidden agenda behind proposing that everything related to labor relations be postponed until 2030? Who are they trying to protect so that, despite having been sentenced for gender violence or for being in debt for alimony, they can hold a position in the government? This is not a decision that should be supported by party or government lines, We must remain united in sisterhood in the face of this decision that they intend to impose on us.“, the deputy demanded.