Human Rights/Rule of Law: Federal government recognizes a lack of attention to forced disappearances

La Jornada: The Mexican government, by way of the Ministers of Interior and Foreign Affairs and the Attorney General, recognized the need to improve attention to the problem of forced disappearances in Mexico, welcoming recommendations by the United Nations on the topic and maintaining that it is attending to 275 cases which occurred in the 1970s and 1980s through a reparations program.

The federal agencies reported that currently “great institutional efforts were being undertaken to prevent forced disappearances, including specific actions in the security forces of the three branches of government.”

According to the Mexican government, many of the recommendations it has received from the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances “are already being implemented,” and it has therefore complied with the January 26 recommendation from the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH), “which found evidence of 275 cases of forced disappearance and arbitrary detention committed in the 1970s and 1980s.”

The compensation program will be developed in four stages: compensation, guarantee of non-repetition, act of pardon or recognition of responsibility on the part of the Mexican state, and comprehensive care (health, education, employment) for the victims and their families, as required by international standards.

According to reports, “during 2011, the program covered emerging damages, emotional damages, and lost profits in 24 cases and the call is open this year for all families affected as outlined in the January 26 recommendation of the CNDH.” Also, the Deputy Attorney General for Specialized Investigation of Federal Crimes will continue the investigation of cases of forced disappearances and the probable responsibility of those involved. Spanish original

Translation: Michael Kane, Center for International Policy intern