The disappearance of people in Mexico: modalities, magnitudes and impacts

Reflections on how a historical criminal practice and violation of human rights is positioned as a new governmental and social challenge

Abstract

The disappearance of people has been used in Latin America, since the 1960s, as a measure of political ideological control —especially in the military dictatorships of the Southern Cone or in the dirty war in Mexico—. At present, the motivations and modalities have been expanded, since criminal fines are added. In Mexico, it can be observed that the perpetrators and their victims have also been transformed, since now not only the State employs this strategy against its opponents, but also organized crime in the community in general.

In the same way, in Mexico, the disappearance of people is one of the forms of extreme violence and have increased in recent years. Although, official data indicate that as of December 2019 there were 61 637 reports of missing or non-located persons, it is recognized that this serious violation of human rights seriously impacts families, communities, and even institutions.

The prevention and treatment of this criminal practice and violation of human rights present great absences and weaknesses. Despite advances, such as the General Law on Forced Disappearance of Persons, efforts are still insufficient and resources are limited. In this context, the role that organizations of relatives of the disappeared, have played in demanding justice and promoting strategies in their interpellation with governments stands out.