The Mexican government must tackle the shocking collusion between authorities and organized crime and take steps to end impunity, said Amnesty International as several individuals, including the mayor of Iguala, José Luis Abarca, were charged with kidnapping in relation to the enforced disappearance of 43 students last September.
“The enforced disappearance of the 43 Ayotzinapa students has been an enormous tragedy which could have been avoided. A long record of corruption and the absolute lack of justice in Mexico have allowed this despicable crime to happen. This needs to change if authorities want to avoid having more blood on their hands,” said Erika Guevara, Americas Director at Amnesty International.
“Authorities in Mexico must increase efforts to find the whereabouts of the students and bring all those responsible to justice.”
Talking points:
• Lack of effective investigations into the disappearance of the 43 students in Iguala.
• Enforced disappearances committed by police and armed forces.
• Shocking levels of torture and ill-treatment recorded in Mexico.
• Mexico’s human rights record.
Erika Guevara, Americas Director at Amnesty International, and Perseo Quiroz, Executive Director at Amnesty International Mexico will be travelling to Ayotzinapa on the week of 19 January to meet with some of the relatives of the 43 missing students and human rights organizations.