IACHR warns that disappearances in Mexico represent a ‘grave humanitarian crisis’

Mexico City (EFE).- The Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) presented a report on Monday on the situation of the disappeared in Mexico, a report that defines the disappearances as a «grave humanitarian crisis» perpetrated «mostly» by members of organized crime that primarily affect certain social groups, such as women, migrants, and young people.

The report «gives an account of the progress and challenges of the policies adopted by the state to address a humanitarian crisis that transcends territories, communities, families, and generations.»

Disappearance in any form is one of the most serious violations of human dignity,» said IACHR Executive Secretary Tania Reneaum at the presentation of the document.

The report, titled Disappearances in Mexico, was presented in Mexico City and examines the phenomenon from 2018, which affected over 130,000 people.

The report is based on official testimonies, information submitted by the Mexican government, and reports from different organizations.

Andrea Viviana Pochak, the international body’s rapporteur for Mexico, affirmed that it is an «indiscriminate» phenomenon with a «high concentration» among young people, children, and adolescents. She also warned of «gender-associated risks» derived from sexist violence in this crisis.

The expert said that the problem of disappearances is a widespread problem that continues to occur with high levels of impunity. However, she acknowledged that the Mexican state has made important normative advances since 2018.

Nevertheless, Pochak said these efforts are insufficient given the magnitude of disappearances and the involvement of organized crime, which sometimes receives support from Mexican authorities.

«The report also reflects situations in which organized crime has operated in conjunction with state security agents,» she warned, specifying that the IACHR «does not confirm» the existence of a preconceived policy by the state in this regard.

The rapporteur for Mexico emphasized the need for concrete, verifiable, and evaluable measures that effectively reduce the risk of disappearance, calling for improved access to justice for victims.

Several Mexican government officials were present at the event, including the Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights, Enrique Javier Ochoa, who stated that the IACHR report is an «opportunity» to cooperate on this matter.

He also highlighted the progress promoted by the current administration and recognized the families’ struggles.

Bibiana Efigenia, who has been searching for her brother Manuel for several years, harshly criticized the institutional response. She said that the current government has never opened the door to them, so it is «shameful» to hear them now saying they want to cooperate.

«It is shameful to hear a state that has never listened to us say that they want to cooperate with the victims when they have been covering up all the missing persons’ records. And they still have the nerve to ask us not to politicize our missing loved ones when public officials are the ones politicizing them,» she added, breaking down in tears.

After the woman searching for her brother spoke, relatives of the missing lashed out at the officials’ speech and cried out:

«They were taken alive, and we want them back,» a protest cry used by search groups in Mexico. EFE

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