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In February 2006, the HRI held a series of training workshops on combating torture in Mexico, for judges, lawyers and prosecutors. The programme was funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and followed on from workshops held in Mexico City in 2005 in collaboration with the Mexican Bar Association.

The workshops in February were held in Aguascalientes and Zacatecas and were based around the UN/IBA manual, 'Human Rights in the Administration of Justice' and the FCO/University of Essex manual, 'Combating Torture: A Manual for Judges and Prosecutors'. The programme was funded by the FCO.

Sessions focused on 'access to justice: the practical implementation of fair trial standards', and particular emphasis was given to combating torture and women and children in the administration of justice. All of the HRI's projects in Mexico have been extremely well-received and participants from all three workshops have requested further training.

The main objectives of the workshops are identified as follows:

To strengthen the administration of justice in Zacatecas and Aguascalientes
To develop the capacity of state and federal judiciary and prosecutors to ensure implementation of fair trial standards
To build greater links between the institutions involved in the administration of justice, particularly state and federal courts and prosecutors
To raise standards of investigation and trial
To promote an awareness of torture prevention and the meaning, application, enforcement and implementation of the prohibition of torture in domestic, regional and international law