The Constitution of the United States of Mexico at Art

The Constitution of the United States of Mexico at Art. 22 states: "The death penalty is prohibited for political crimes, and, in relation to other crimes, can only be imposed for treason during international war, parricide, first degree murder, arson, kidnapping, banditry, piracy and grave military offenses." The preceding offenses were considered a threat to society when the Constitution was first introduced, and now have a symbolic function. The death penalty cannot be applied, in fact, because it is not included in any state or federal code. It still exists as a theoretical possibility in military courts and the Armed forces are alone in opposing its full abolition as a matter of principle. Mexican courts have not applied the death penalty since the 1950s. In 2001, the Mexican Supreme Court has ruled that its citizens can be extradited for trial abroad, provided they are sentenced under Mexican guidelines, which bans the use of the death penalty.