Human Rights Watch recently criticized the proposal for a new Public System of Care by the Mexico City government, alleging it falls short in upholding the rights and autonomy of individuals with disabilities and the elderly. Carlos Ríos Espinosa, associate disability rights director at HRW, pointed out that while the bill aims to address care-related inequalities, it lacks clarity and specificity in defining “support” and does not specify the types of services offered or ensure user control over care arrangements.
According to HRW, meaningful support is defined as measures enabling individuals to make their own decisions and live independently—a principle enshrined in Article 19 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which Mexico ratified in 2007. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights further acknowledges the importance of independent living support for ensuring the right to care. For more information on the rights group’s stance, visit JURIST.
Reports from 2020 have documented instances across various Mexican cities where individuals with disabilities suffered neglect due to inadequate independent living support. The UN Secretary-General’s 2025 report highlights that people with severe disabilities often remain institutionalized due to insufficient social services. HRW stresses that people with disabilities should have the freedom to choose their living arrangements, protecting them from potential abuse.
An expert committee in the Mexico City Congress is conducting public consultations on the care system bill. Ríos Espinosa emphasizes the need for authorities to strengthen the bill by incorporating the real-life experiences of those it is intended to benefit, ensuring that the right to care is genuinely realized.
These concerns reflect broader challenges faced by disability advocacy groups worldwide in ensuring effective legislation that truly empowers individuals, a topic explored in depth by HRW.