Mexico Expulsions

Contrary to the Mexican government’s hypocritical assertion that it is expelling foreigners from Chiapas to uphold the rule of law (April 16), it is the govern- ment’s expulsions that are breaking the law. At a hearing before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in Washington on Feb. 24, the commission lectured Mexico’s attorneys in no uncertain terms that its expulsion of three priests in 1995--Fathers Loren Riebe of the U.S., Rodolfo Izal Elorz of Spain and Jorge Alberto Baron of Argentina--violated the American Convention on Human Rights.

Mexican law allowing the president to deport foreigners at will is subject to the requirement that they be given a hearing, know the evidence against them and be permitted to mount a defense. Asked by the commission to propose a “friendly settlement” with the three priests within 30 days, Mexico responded with a terse refusal, in effect telling the commission and the rule of law to go to hell.

ROBERT BENSON

Professor, Loyola Law School

Los Angeles