Amnesty International has recently implored the Mexican Senate to revitalise the Citizen Council of the National Search System, which has remained empty since May 2024. This vacuum hampers the rights of families searching for loved ones who have disappeared, as they are denied a significant role in governmental decisions concerning the ongoing crisis of disappearances in the country.
The Citizen Council serves as a crucial platform, ensuring that the voices of victims’ families shape policies related to the search for missing individuals in Mexico. As per Article 60 of the General Law regarding Forced Disappearance, this Council should comprise five family representatives, four experts in human rights or the search for missing persons, and four members from civil society human rights organisations.
In addition, Article 62 clarifies the Council’s mandates, which include proposing actions to improve institutional capabilities, recommending technical assistance measures, and reporting any misconduct regarding public resources related to investigations of missing persons. Amnesty International has urged an immediate recruitment process for the Council’s members and called on citizens to write appeals, personal or using provided templates, to support this initiative.
The rising number of disappearances in Mexico has drawn the attention of UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet, who called for urgent reforms to secure justice for victims and their relatives. According to data from the National Registry, 126,247 individuals have been reported as disappeared or missing from 1952 to March 2025.
Public concern deepened following the shocking discovery of mass graves between March 5 and 11, 2025, revealing shoes, clothing, and burnt human remains, with ties to issues such as femicide, kidnappings, and human trafficking. In response, President Sheinbaum has announced efforts to counteract these disappearances, establishing various initiatives and enhancing the National Search Commission’s capabilities.
Amnesty International has called on the Mexican Senate to renew the Citizen Council of the National Search System, which has been inactive since May 2024. This Council is vital for involving victims’ families in decisions about the search for the missing. The rise in disappearances has been alarming, with significant discoveries leading to calls for reform and action to support affected families in their search for justice.
Amnesty International’s call for the renewal of the Citizen Council underscores the crucial need for victim representation in the search for missing persons in Mexico. The ongoing crisis of disappearances, highlighted by disturbing discoveries and alarming statistics, reflects a grave humanitarian issue. Urgent actions from both the Senate and the public are essential to restore hope and support for affected families while ensuring accountability in the government’s efforts to tackle this crisis.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
