Activists ask court to investigate Mexico soldiers

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Human rights activists are asking the International Criminal Court to investigate allegations of rights violations by security forces in Mexico’s northern state of Baja California.

The International Federation for Human Rights says in a statement Friday the petition it filed with two other groups includes a report documenting torture, forced disappearances and kidnappings.

It says the violations were committed by troops and state police officers between 2006 and 2012, when former President Felipe Calderon was in office.

Calderon declared war on drug traffickers and sent thousands of soldiers and federal police officers to drug hot spots. More than 70,000 people died in drug-related violence and at least 10,000 went missing during his administration.

The court rejected a 2011 request by Mexican activists to investigate Calderon for possible crimes against humanity.

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