Mexican ruling says troops should face civilian trial

Mexico's Supreme Court has ruled that soldiers accused of human rights abuses against civilians must be judged in civil and not military courts.

A Mexican minister said it strengthened the nation's respect for human rights.
In 2006, thousands of troops were deployed to tackle organised crime as part of an initiative by President Felipe Calderon.
Rights groups say accusations of abuses by army personnel have risen sharply since Mr Calderon's operation began.
'Few convictions' The historic ruling restricts the extent of the military code of justice in Mexico.
It says that the cases in which the perpetrator of the abuse is a member of the armed forces and the victim a civilian, the case should be dealt with by a civilian court.
Over the last few years these types of cases have become more and more frequent, as in many cities in Mexico the army has policing powers and direct contact with the population.
Soldiers have been accused of opening fire on civilians at checkpoints in areas infested by drug cartels, and of carrying out illegal arrests and searches.
The National Human Rights Commission says it has received more than 5,000 complaints about alleged abuses by the military since President Calderon launched the military confrontation with the drug cartels.
It says that only a tiny percentage of those has ended in a conviction the military courts.
That is why local human rights groups have welcomed Tuesday's ruling, and the Mexican foreign minister, Patricia Espinosa, said that it strengthens Mexico's respect for human rights.

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