Mexico lawmakers approve reform to allow civilian courts to try troops in rights abuse cases
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Mexican lawmakers have unanimously approved historic amendments to the country's military justice code that will allow members of the armed forces who commit a crime against civilians to be tried in civilian courts.
The amendments were approved by on a 428-0 vote in the House of Deputies on Wednesday. The Senate approved the changes unanimously last week.
The move comes after several rulings by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights that urged Mexico to use civilian courts to try soldiers who abuse human rights.
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Thousands of soldiers and marines have been patrolling the streets since then-President Felipe Calderon launched a crackdown on drug traffickers in late 2006. He decided to rely on the armed forces because of rampant corruption in local and state police departments.