Deputies from the Citizen Movement bench and members of the civil association El Caracol presented an initiative for a Law for the Protection of the Rights of Street Populations in México City, with which they seek to establish the bases that allow the “reintegration into society” of these people, having as a guiding principle their autonomy and will without discrimination.
According to the text presented to the Congress of México City, the authorities will facilitate actions so that people living on the street overcome conditions of poverty, with options for training, health, education and job offers.
Furthermore, it establishes that “no person belonging to street populations or post-street populations may be evicted, displaced, removed or relocated, without a judicial order issued by the competent authority,” as is currently the case with social cleansing operations.
Although the initiative recognizes that for decades in the country’s capital, support measures have been implemented for these populations, such as shelters, it indicates that “it is also true that this does not offer a comprehensive solution that improves their lives, since they are places of temporary stay, which often do not comply with minimum health and safety measures”, in addition to being subject to the availability of space, which is why it indicates that there is an “absence of institutional support.”
According to the first report by the Head of Government, Clara Brugada, in the 2025 Census in México City, 2,869 homeless people were identified, mainly in Cuauhtémoc, Iztacalco, Iztapalapa and Venustiano Carranza.
What does the law propose for street populations’ access to rights?
The initiative states that specific mechanisms are required that allow people from street populations to acquire adequate housing, whether owned or leased, with the minimum of requirements.
To this end, it proposes that there be housing programs that provide fiscal incentives to owners who rent homes to these people, as well as the existence of financial support destined exclusively for the payment of rent by the capital authorities.
In educational matters, the integration of these populations into public education is requested, as well as the creation of literacy programs and mechanisms that allow the recognition and accreditation of the studies they can count on.
It also points out that full-time daycare is needed for their daughters and sons, and that agreements must be concluded with educational institutions to grant fiscal and administrative incentives to those who grant scholarships, provide school supplies, uniforms and dining service.
Regarding the right to work, it is proposed to celebrate collaboration agreements with the Labor Training Institute of México City and private institutions, in order to train them, and to prohibit the jobs offered to them from violating their dignity or reducing their quality of life.
It also points out that full-time daycare is needed for their daughters and sons, and that agreements must be concluded with educational institutions to grant fiscal and administrative incentives to those who grant scholarships, provide school supplies, uniforms and dining service.
Regarding the right to work, it is proposed to celebrate collaboration agreements with the Labor Training Institute of México City and private institutions, in order to train them, and to prohibit the jobs offered to them from violating their dignity or reducing their quality of life.
Another right that is mentioned is that of health, for which it is requested to give them options for medical and detoxification care, to have mobile bathrooms and showers in areas of high concentration of these people, as well as drinking water fountains and vouchers that allow them to access nutritious and balanced food in mobile or community kitchens.
Regarding their right to justice, they are expected to have legal advice and representation in the administrative or judicial procedures of which they are part.
These powers would be under the responsibility of the Head of Government, the 16 mayors’ offices, SEBIEN, the Ministry of Health, the Human Rights Commission of México City, the DIF System, the Youth Institute, the Institute for the Care and Prevention of Addictions, the Council to Prevent and Eliminate Discrimination, as well as the Institute for Dignified Aging of the capital.
“Street populations are not a problem to solve,” activists emphasize
Alexia Moreno, executive coordinator of the El Caracol association, pointed out that initiatives like this seek to avoid repeating injustices and stories of pain such as those experienced daily by street populations, like Hermelinda, who died after being taken to a shelter.
“In El Caracol for 30 years we have been working for the cause that all people deserve to live a dignified life. Street populations are not a problem to be solved, but rather a sector that must have rights and that participate daily in the economy of this country and city, that is why we welcome this initiative that provides them with human rights and what it seeks is that stories like Hermelinda’s are not repeated,” he expressed.
Alonso de la Cruz, an educator at El Caracol, pointed out that this legislation could help change lives, “since there are many more cases like Hermelinda’s.”
Royfid Torres, legislator who presented the initiative, explained that with this proposal “what we are trying to do is change the welfare approach with which we intend to care for these people and we want them to be subjects of rights, to have a conception of autonomy.”
Source: from Noroeste Nacional on 2025-11-08 07:23:00
