Critics are describing what was initially hailed as a groundbreaking anti-discrimination law signed last week as too vague to have any concrete impact in eliminating discrimination in Mexico. The supposed fault of the law lies in its enforcement options. Violators of the legislation are not subject to criminal penalties but instead to lesser punishments such as public shame and official declarations that condemn their discriminatory actions. Immediately following the passage of the law, a new bill was introduced in Congress, levying tougher punishments and protection for victims of discrimination. Some, however, are wary of this new bill, which, they claim, may impinge on and violate civil liberties such as freedom of speech and the media.
