Since 2017, about 300 minors have been assassinated in Baja California, state Human Rights Commission Chairman Miguel Mora said.

During a meeting held in Tijuana, Mora said the number of murdered teenagers and children shows the need to implement special measures to address the issue.

According to the state’s ombudsman, the lack of oversight from the authorities over minors, the delay in providing justice services and the inexistence of a policy to rescue children and adolescents has played a significant role in the issue.

Mora, along with several other colleagues, took part in a recent special meeting of the Commission to Address Violence against Boys, Girls and Teenagers of the Mexican Federation of Human Rights Public Organizations.

Luis Fernando Carrera, UNICEF representative in Mexico, also took part in the meeting.

Mora explained that the special commission was created in order to address crimes against minors — especially murders, disappearance cases, torture and others.

Mexico City Human Rights Commission Chairwoman Nashieli Ramírez highlighted the need to implement a comprehensive strategy to address internal immigration that turns minors more vulnerable.

The ombudsman seeks to introduce proposals to reform the General Law of Rights of Girls, Boys and Teenagers. The measure would include an Emergent Protection Program for minors affected by violence.

Last year, the state commission called the State System of Girls, Boys and Adolescents Protection to meet in order to address violence against minors. However, the response needed a second call to strengthen actions to protect children, Mora said. The state ombudsman said although violence against minors can be explained from the perspective of criminal activity or the country’s socio-economic conditions, these deaths cannot be considered as collateral damage, but as innocent victims who deserve to be protected by the administration.