A majority of legislators approved a resolution that calls for a report on a complaint filed against journalist Cristian Torres
The Baja California State Assembly approved a resolution that calls state authorities to report a censorship complaint against a Mexicali journalist.
The resolution was voted in favor by 23 lawmakers. Assembly members Marco Antonio Blázquez and Sergio Moctezuma Martínez, both with the majority block, voted against it.
The resolution calls state Attorney General Ricardo Iván Carpio and Special Attorney to address Electoral Crime Marina Ceja Díaz to report on any complaint filed against columnist Cristian Torres Cruz.
A few weeks ago, Torres Cruz was forced to delete a column that reported on attorney Ceja Díaz’s unsuccessful attempt to become an elections court magistrate justice. Mexican senators dismissed the prosecutor’s candidacy.
A state court issued a warrant against the journalist based on the column’s alleged gender violence violations.
The resolution seeks to gather information about the complaint and any measures the State Attorney General’s office takes. Also, the request calls for both officials to dismiss any actions taken against Torres Cruz.
The resolution was first considered by the Assembly’s Political Coordinating Board, composed of lawmakers from all political parties in the legislature.
Legislators vote for indigenous reform
State lawmakers approved over the week a political reform that seeks to protect the election rights of members of native Mexican tribes.
An Assembly statement says the constitutional amendment seeks to protect the rights of indigenous people and Mexican residents of African descent who live in Baja California.
The bill was previously introduced on Sept. 2021 by Assemblywoman Evelyn Sanchez, of the National Regeneration Movement Party.
Assemblyman Juan Manuel Molina, who chairs the Commissions of Legislation and Indigenous Affairs, read the bill during the meeting.
Molina said the constitutional amendment looks to grant election rights to indigenous people under the gender equality perspective.
Assemblywoman Sanchez thanked those involved in the months-long process that led to the reform.
“For the very first time in the history of the Legislative Branch, we have a Commission on Indigenous Affairs that was the decisive factor to make this legislation come to fruition,” Assemblyman Molina said in a statement.
The bill makes sure native Mexicans and citizens of African descent are represented in the legislature and city council bodies, Molina said.
Lawmakers also approved changes to the bill that sets as indigenous tribes only Baja California native people, including the Pai Pai, the Cucapah, the Kiliwas, and Kumiai, among others.
The bill was voted right by the deadline set by Mexico’s Election Court on a ruling that declared part of Baja California’s law not in compliance.
According to the bill’s changes, lawmakers have a month to vote on secondary laws to make sure indigenous people’s political rights are protected.
Groups of indigenous tribes members held a demonstration outside the legislative building to protest against the bill.
Esther Ramirez, of the Triqui tribe, criticized lawmakers for ignoring demands from native people.
Bill seeks to grant salary equality
A state lawmaker introduced a bill that seeks to force employers to pay similar salaries to both men and women.
Assemblywoman Amintha Briceño, of the conservative National Action Party, said in a statement the bill seeks to modify two articles of the Law of Equality of Men and Women of Baja California.
The proposal was turned to legislative commissions for discussion.
According to the bill’s content, the state would be mandated to implement actions to promote salary equality for men and women who perform similar duties.
The bill’s mandate includes the departments of Economy and Labor, cities, colleges, and other organizations.
The lawmaker pointed out that several studies highlight the increase of women in productive activities, but who earn less than their male counterparts.
Two years ago Mexico approved a legislative package to grant the implementation of salary equality.
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