Mexican Congress to hold death penalty forums

The Associated Press 6:08 p.m. January 21, 2009

MEXICO CITY — Mexico's Congress has agreed to hold forums on the possibility of reinstating the death penalty for some crimes.

The forums will gather crime experts, human rights groups, academics and others to discuss the merits of bringing capital punishment back to Mexico.

Mexico formally abolished the death penalty in 2005 but has not held an execution since 1961.

However, a surge in homicides and kidnappings has provoked renewed demands for the death penalty. Drug violence has especially increased, with gang killings doubling last year to more than 5,300.

The Congressional vote Wednesday came in response to a Green Party proposal to impose the death penalty for kidnappers who kill their victims. No date was set for the forums.

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