UN Urges Mexico to Protect Activists Searching for Disappeared Persons Mexico News Daily
go to original July 25, 2023

Tens of thousands of people are missing in Mexico. Those attempting to locate the bodies of loved ones are often targets of violence. (Adolfo Vladimir)

The United Nations Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED) has urged the Mexican government to protect activists searching for disappeared persons.

In a recent press release, the UN condemned the July 11 attack on personnel from the Jalisco Attorney General’s office, which took place while they were investigating a clandestine burial site. The attack killed six people and injured 15 more.

The CED has asked the Mexican government to immediately and exhaustively investigate those responsible for the attack.

Following the tragedy, Jalisco governor Enrique Alfaro suspended searches for missing persons based on anonymous complaints, to which the CED responded that “searches and investigations are permanent obligations.”

The UN statement follows another recommendation made last year by the committee following its visit to Mexico. In a report, the CED asked the government to establish a comprehensive protection program for authorities investigating forced disappearances and those searching for missing family members.

According to the committee, there are more than 110,000 disappeared people in Mexico. Due to state inaction, victims’ families are often forced to undertake the searches themselves, often with the help of citizen collectives. However, such collectives are frequently targeted, with many members being kidnapped or killed.

Read the rest at Mexico News Daily

Related: Investigators Recall Surreal Moments During Years-Long Investigation in Mexico’s Missing Students (Associated Press)

Related: Report Questions Mexican Military’s Role in Disappearance of 43 Students (PA News Agency)

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!