Mexico abuse cases should be in civilian court

MEXICO CITY – A European Parliament delegation says Mexico's government should prosecute soldiers accused of human rights abuses as civilians. Mexican troops accused of rights abuses are mainly tried in military courts.

A five-member group from the European Parliament's human rights subcommittee said Friday that Mexico should obey a December ruling by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. It orders the Mexican government to shift cases charging soldiers with abusing civilians out of military courts.

The Mexican army did not respond to requests for comment.

About 45,000 soldiers and federal police have deployed to different parts of Mexico since President Felipe Calderon began a crackdown on drug cartels in December 2006.