The Congress of Mexico City approved the Paola Buenrostro Law, criminalizing transfeminicides and establishing penalties of 35 to 70 years in prison. With 45 votes in favor and one against, the Criminal Code, the Victims Law, the Civil Code and the Organic Law of the Mexico City District Attorney's Office were amended. Congresswoman Ana Francis López, in presenting the opinion, emphasized that transfeminicide is an extreme manifestation of gender violence and discrimination.
The law defines the crime of transfeminicide as the murder of a trans woman or person whose gender identity is perceived to be on the female spectrum. In addition, measures are established to ensure that death certificates and the delivery of corpses respect the victim's gender identity, allowing the victim's “social family”, composed of close friends and companions, to carry out these procedures if blood relatives refuse or violate the identity of the transgender person.
Deputy Temístocles Villanueva stressed the importance of this law as an act of historical justice for trans women and non-binary people, seeking justice, dignity and visibility. In his speech, Villanueva emphasized the need to assume historical responsibility and take a crucial first step towards the restoration and non-repetition of violence against trans people.
The approval of this law marks a significant advance in the fight against gender violence and discrimination against the trans community in Mexico City. The legislators emphasize that it is only the beginning of a long road towards justice and equality, recognizing the gravity and existence of the specific violence faced by trans people.
