Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Friday declared that the proposed Public System of Care, a new care and support system bill submitted by the Mexico City government, does not guarantee the rights and autonomy of people with disabilities and elderly people.

Although the draft bill aims to address inequalities in caregiving, it overlooks elements critical to securing basic rights. Carlos Ríos Espinosa, associate disability rights director at Human Rights Watch, stated that the proposed bill “does not clearly define what ‘support’ means, specify the types of services that would be provided…or guarantee that users have control over their care and support arrangements.” Additionally, HRW highlights that no budget or continuous improvements on the framework have been proposed.

HRW highlights that support includes “measures that enable people to make their own decisions, participate in their communities, and live independently.” This is reflected in Article 19 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which Mexico ratified in 2007. Additionally, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights has acknowledged that support for independent living is essential to the right to care.

In 2020, HRW noted cases in various Mexican cities where persons with disabilities were often mistreated and neglected by family members or caregivers due to a lack of independent living support. In October 2025, the UN Secretary-General released a report on the implementation of the CRPD and its Optional Protocol stating that, according to research, “persons with severe, multiple disabilities and complex needs, often remain in institutions, due to a lack of adequate social services and support.” Ríos Espinosa said that people with disabilities should be able to choose where and with whom to live to avoid them being stuck in an abusive setting.

An expert committee was created by the Mexico City Congress to publicly consult proposals on the novel care and support system. Ríos Espinosa emphasizes that “the authorities should use this consultation process to strengthen the bill.” He further states:

The law should reflect the lived experiences of those it is meant to serve—people with disabilities, older people, caregivers, and support providers—so that the right to care and support becomes a reality, not merely a promise.