On the International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearance, Mexico faces a stark reminder of a human rights crisis that has persisted for decades and grown more complex in recent years. According to official figures from the National Registry of Missing and Unlocated Persons (RNPDNO), more than 115,000 people are currently missing in Mexico. This figure underscores the severity of the crisis of forced disappearance, a multifaceted issue that continues to plague the country, challenging legislative efforts aimed at truth, justice, and reparation.
A Historical Perspective on Disappearances
The phenomenon of forced disappearances in Mexico is not new. From the 1960s onwards, disappearances were systematically used as a tool of political repression by government officials and armed forces against social groups that opposed the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). This grim strategy targeted dissidents, activists, and anyone perceived as a threat to the regime.
However, since 2006, the dynamics of disappearances have shifted. Today, the perpetrators are not limited to state actors but also include organized crime groups, and the victims can be anyone—men, women, children, journalists, and human rights defenders. The escalation of violence, particularly following former President Felipe Calderón’s declaration of a “war on drug trafficking” in 2006, has exacerbated the situation. The increased militarization of public security, coupled with rampant corruption and impunity, has only worsened the crisis.
The Forensic Crisis: A Direct Consequence
One of the most troubling aspects of the disappearance crisis is the forensic crisis it has engendered. According to the investigation Crisis Forense by A dónde van los desaparecidos, Mexico’s forensic system is overwhelmed, lacking the resources and infrastructure needed to identify the growing number of unidentified bodies. More than 52,000 deceased persons remain unidentified, often left in clandestine graves, forensic medical services (SEMEFO), or donated to medical schools, only to end up in mass graves. This situation prolongs the agony of thousands of families who continue to search for their missing loved ones, facing insurmountable challenges in their quest for truth.
The Role of the Armed Forces and Impunity
The crisis is further compounded by the role of Mexico’s armed forces, which have been implicated in numerous human rights violations, including torture, arbitrary detentions, extrajudicial executions, and enforced disappearances. Public data from the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) reveals a steady increase in complaints against the armed forces since 2007. The creation of the National Guard—a militarized police force under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador—has not alleviated the problem. Instead, it has perpetuated the same failed public security strategies that have allowed impunity to thrive.
International organizations, such as the United Nations Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED), have repeatedly called on the Mexican government to implement a National Policy for the Prevention and Eradication of Disappearances. However, these recommendations have largely gone unheeded. In September 2023, the CED reiterated its concern over the widespread impunity in Mexico, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive national policy focused on prevention.
The emblematic case of the 43 students from the Raúl Isidro Burgos rural school in Ayotzinapa, Guerrero, who disappeared on September 26, 2014, exemplifies the challenges in achieving justice. Despite promises from successive governments, including the current administration, to uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable, the investigation has been marred by obfuscation and interference, particularly when it involves the military. The failure to deliver justice in this case has become a symbol of the broader impunity that pervades Mexico’s justice system.
The Unyielding Determination of Families
Amidst this bleak landscape, the families of the disappeared have emerged as the most powerful force advocating for change. Mothers, in particular, have played a pivotal role in the fight against enforced disappearances. Despite facing threats, attacks, and even death, they continue to search for their loved ones, often becoming experts in forensic investigation out of necessity. Their relentless efforts have led to significant legal and institutional changes, including the enactment of the General Law on Disappearances in November 2017 and the creation of the National Search System.
Yet, these families face an uphill battle against an indifferent state. Since June 2023, President López Obrador has refused to meet with various groups of families and mothers searching for their missing relatives. In response, these families have staged peaceful protests, such as the one currently taking place at the flagpole of the Zócalo in Mexico City, in front of the president’s residence. Their presence serves as a poignant reminder of the government’s unfulfilled promises and its continued failure to address the crisis.
A Call for Justice and Accountability
As Mexico commemorates the International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearance, the country stands at a crossroads. The upcoming administration of Claudia Sheinbaum, who will assume the presidency on December 1, 2024, has indicated a continuation of the current security policies, including the militarization of public security. This decision has raised concerns among human rights advocates who fear that the crisis of enforced disappearances will only deepen.
For the families of the missing, the fight for truth, justice, and reparation continues. Their unwavering determination to find their loved ones and hold those responsible accountable represents a beacon of hope in an otherwise grim scenario. As the world observes this day, the international community must not turn a blind eye to the ongoing human rights crisis in Mexico. The search for the missing must remain a priority, and the voices of those left behind must be heard, respected, and acted upon.
The struggle for justice is far from over, but with the relentless efforts of the families and the support of international organizations, there is hope that one day, the disappeared will be found, and their stories will no longer be shrouded in darkness.
