UN Rights Office Urges Mexico Authorities to Pursue Investigation Into Tlatlaya Case UN News Centre
go to original May 20, 2016

OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani (UN Multimedia)

The United Nations human rights office today reiterated a call for the Government of Mexico to ensure a prompt and thorough investigation into a series of alleged summary executions and human rights violations committed by authorities almost two years ago.

The incident occurred on 30 June 2014, in an operation by military forces during which 22 people were killed, of whom at least 12 may have been summarily executed, at a warehouse in Tlatlaya in Mexico State, according to the National Human Rights Commission of Mexico. Seven military personnel were arrested in connection with the case, but in October 2015, a judge dropped charges against four of them and this past week, a court freed the other three, deciding that there was insufficient evidence against them.

Al Jazeera's Rachel Levin reported on the case in 2014 from Mexico City. Warning: This video contains graphic images which some viewers may find disturbing. (Al Jazeera English)

In a briefing to reporters in Geneva today, Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), expressed deep concern that the case remains “mired in impunity” and victims continue to be “denied their rights to justice and the truth.”

“Investigations must be extended to examine all those who may be responsible, including higher-level military officers who may hold command responsibility, as well as those who may have tampered with or ordered the commission of acts to tamper with the crime scene,” she said.

“Other allegations of human rights violations related to the Tlatlaya case, including arbitrary detention and torture of witnesses, should also be thoroughly investigated,” she added.

Read the rest at UN News Centre

Related: Mexico: Tlatlaya Case Mired in Impunity: UN (Aristegui Noticias)

Related: Mexican Soldiers Involved in Massacre Go Unpunished, Eyewitness Says (Latin American Herald Tribune)

Related: Mexico Military's Revitalized Impunity (Animal Politico)

We invite you to add your charity or supporting organizations' news stories and coming events to PVAngels so we can share them with the world. Do it now!