It sends the right message, ... It's about promoting justice, expanding human rights and preventing conflict.

Over a decade of conflict we have seen the human rights situation steadily worsening, with increasing numbers of civilian killings and injuries and, for a time, the highest number of reported 'disappearances' in the world.

Where human rights and freedoms flourish, terrorists and tyrants do not thrive and conflict and chaos do not reign.

The strategy of putting justice on hold for an elusive peace settlement has emboldened human rights abusers on both sides of the conflict. This approach has fueled a pervasive culture of impunity that has led to ever-increasing acts of violence against civilians.

In a region where far too many human rights violators have escaped justice, Mexico is setting an important example that other countries should emulate.

determined to do the right thing, but in a pragmatic way. We defended human rights.