Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED) published a report earlier this month that asked the U.N. General Assembly to examine the situation of enforced disappearances in the country, concluding that crimes against humanity have been and continue to be committed here. The Mexican government rejected the CED’s report, with Sheinbaum saying that its aim was “essentially to criticize the government of Mexico” rather than present an accurate portrayal of the missing persons problem.

According to the United Nations’ own definition, “an enforced disappearance is considered to be the arrest, detention, abduction or any other form of deprivation of liberty by agents of the State or by persons or groups of persons acting with the authorization, support or acquiescence of the State.” Sheinbaum asserted earlier this month that enforced disappearances “no longer occur in Mexico.” Mexico’s disappearances ‘crisis’ In addition to saying that “disappearances” — note the omission of the word “enforced” — “remain one of the most serious and painful human rights challenges in Mexico,” Türk said that such cases “cause unimaginable and prolonged suffering for families.” “They deeply erode trust between the population and the State, which is responsible for preventing, investigating, prosecuting, and punishing those responsible,” he added. More than 132,000 people are currently listed as missing in Mexico, a country where many victims of kidnapping are never found and impunity for such crimes is exceedingly high.

After noting that he met with the families of disappeared persons in Mexico and expressed his “solidarity and empathy” to him, Türk said that “Mexico has a legal and institutional framework with great potential.” He noted that Mexico has a General Law on Enforced Disappearance of Persons and a National Search System, but asserted that “it is essential that the State continues to strengthen search mechanisms, forensic identification processes, protection measures, and investigative capacities to address” the missing persons “crisis.” “The recent adoption of an updated national search protocol represents an important step. Its effective implementation, together with ongoing efforts to strengthen investigative capacities, coordination among institutions, and adequate resources, will be key to achieving meaningful progress in locating the disappeared and combating impunity,” Türk said.

Mexico rejects UN findings that country’s enforced disappearances are crimes against humanity “I recognize the political will to continue strengthening existing institutions,” he said. “… I have observed a social consensus that disappearances are a tragedy that must be addressed. We need a national commitment that goes beyond political positions or the term of any one government,” Türk said.

“… I conveyed to the Government and all my interlocutors my Office’s readiness to provide technical assistance, support, and follow-up to these efforts.” Protection of journalists, organized crime and pretrial detention Türk, an Austrian lawyer who has worked for the U.N. for decades, commented on a range of other topics at his Mexico City press conference. Here is a selection of his most relevant remarks: On the protection of human rights defenders and journalists, many of whom have been killed in Mexico: “The Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists constitutes a highly relevant model and a reference in the region, particularly due to its governance structure, which actively incorporates civil society.

Ensuring timely access for those who need it and strengthening its preventive capacity will enhance its effectiveness. I spoke with the Attorney General of the Republic, and we agreed on the need to increase investigative capacity following attacks against defenders and journalists.” On insecurity: “I am fully aware that public security remains one of the most complex challenges facing Mexican society. Organized criminal groups continue to operate in various parts