UN experts urge Mexico to stamp out extortion of migrants

Mexico City (AFP) - United Nations experts on Friday called on Mexico to crack down on extortion by police and other officials targeting vulnerable migrants in flagrant violation of their human rights. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention also urged the Mexican government to avoid a repeat of the tragedy last year when 40 migrants died in a fire while behind bars. More than 240,000 undocumented migrants and asylum seekers were detained in Mexico in the first half of 2023, including many children, the experts said at the conclusion of a 12-day visit. According to the Mexican constitution...