V. >> F ramework in Practice - Implementing and Monitoring Rights >> Using indicators for human rights Box 31 Using indicators for human rights – Mexico In 2007, OHCHR-Mexico embarked on a project to develop indicators as part of its strategy to strengthen the State’s capacity to monitor compliance with international human rights instruments. The project has also sought to evaluate the impact of public policies on the human rights situation in the country. The OHCHR framework on human rights indicators has been systematically disseminated at both federal and local levels. It has contributed to building capacities to develop indicators in collaboration with governmental agencies, NGOs, academics and the United Nations country team in Mexico. Technical assistance was provided to develop indicators for the National Human Rights Programme as well as the Mexico City Human Rights Programme. Training and working sessions on human rights indicators were offered to the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Defence, the National Social Security Institute, the National Council to Prevent and Eradicate Discrimination, the Federal Prosecutor’s Office for Consumer Affairs, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Superior Tribunal of Justice of Mexico City, the UnderSecretariat of Government, the Planning and Finance Directorates of Mexico City, and the local Human Rights Commission, among others. OHCHR-Mexico’s collaboration with the National Institute for Statistics and Geography and the National Commission for Human Rights has focused on the selection of indicators on the right to health, the right to education, the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the right to life, and the right to liberty and security of person. About 40 structural, process and outcome indicators for the right to health were identified and subjected to a participatory validation process. Relevant government institutions, NGOs and academics are expected to use these indicators in monitoring and reporting on the State’s implementation of human rights. As a result of the findings of the Human Rights Diagnostic and Plan of Action in the capital, the Superior Tribunal of Justice of Mexico City developed indicators to help analyse its capacity to promote and guarantee human rights. This exercise resulted in 76 process and outcome indicators as well as 25 qualitative indicators to facilitate the promotion and assessment, for instance, of the realization of equal access to justice without discrimination; judges’ respect for principles like the presumption of innocence and minimum use of detention; and special protection for children. The resulting system of indicators takes into account judicial errors, breaches of duty of judicial and administrative personnel and their respective administrative and penal procedures. In a landmark decision, the Judicial Council of the Tribunal of Justice of Mexico City formally approved the implementation of the indicators on 22 January 2010. There were plans to use the indicators in the other local tribunals in Mexico. Sources: D  iagnóstico de derechos humanos del Distrito Federal (Mexico City, 2008), available from www.cdhdf.org.mx/. Indicadores sobre el derecho a un juicio justo del Poder Judicial del Distrito Federal, vols. I and II, and Indicadores sobre el derecho a la salud en México (2011), available from www.hchr.org.mx/. 118 Human Rights Indicators