Mexico Sees Spike in Forced Disappearances of Human Rights Defenders teleSUR
go to original August 31, 2015

Mexico: 81 Enforced Disappearances of Activists Reported (teleSUR English)

Human rights organizations are drawing attention to the dramatic increase in forced disappearances of human rights defenders in Mexico during the administration of President Enrique Peña Nieto, Reforma newspaper reported Sunday.

Organizations affiliated with the National Campaign Against Forced Disappearance held an event in the Mexican capital to denounce the lack of action on the part of the Mexican state to address the problem and demanded legislation be enacted.

The event was held on the occasion of the United Nation's International Day of Forced Disappearances.

“During the past five years we have seen that our analysis was correct, this practice has increased,” Nadin Reyes told Reforma.

"Thanks to the documentation, we have determined that the practice of forced disappearance in Mexico is a widespread and systematic policy,” added Reyes.

According to the campaign, during the entire six year presidency Felipe Calderon, Peña Nieto's predecessor, there were 53 cases of forced disappearances of human rights defenders. Meanwhile in only the first three years of Peña Nieto's presidency there have been 81 cases. Human rights groups have repeatedly called on the government to approve legislation regarding forced disappearances, Mexico currently does not have such a law. Mexican government authorities announced in February that the government was committed to drafting and approving a law specific to forced disappearances.

Read the rest at teleSUR

Photo: Reuters

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