Statement 26 septembre 2019
Geneva (OMCT) – Five years after the events that culminated in the disappearance of 43 students from the rural school “Raúl Isidro Burgos” of Ayotzinapa and other grave human rights violations in Iguala (Guerrero), steps are being taken to clarify the facts and brings those guilty to book, but they must continue at a firmer and steadier pace to result in real progress.
On 4 December 2018, the Commission for Truth and Access to Justice was created by presidential decree in the Ayotzinapa case. Within this framework, channels of dialogue and collaboration between families and federal authorities have been opened, headed by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
The OMCT urges the Federal Government to provide all the resources and facilities to enable the Truth Commission, with international support, to move forward as agreed with family members and organizations supporting them.
Faced with an investigation full of irregularities, including the use of torture, which has prolonged and intensified the anguish of families, key authorities and agencies, in particular the Attorney General's Office (FGR) and the special prosecutor for the Ayotzinapa case, have in recent weeks committed to rebuild the investigation on a solid basis.
“It is crucial to immediately determine the criminal responsibilities of public officials, including high ranking ones, who hindered and tainted the investigation process since its inception, to be able to redirect and take significant steps in the investigation, objectives to which the FGR has committed itself,” said Gerald Staberock, Secretary General of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT).
In this regard, the OMCT urges the FGR to accelerate open investigations and take the necessary measures to ensure that public servants involved in the irregularities that characterized the initial investigation are removed from their positions, prosecuted and sanctioned in accordance with international standards.
Finally, the OMCT recalls that the Ayotzinapa case has to be seen in the
context of a long-lasting human rights crisis, with more than 45,000 forcibly
disappeared people, a number that continues to grow. The efforts to search for
those missing, identify mortal remains, and fight against impunity in this
field must redouble to prevent tragedies of a similar magnitude occurring in
the near future.
The World Organization Against Torture (OMCT) is the main global coalition of NGOs fighting torture and ill-treatment, with over 200 members in more than 90 countries. Its international secretariat is based in Geneva, Switzerland.
For more information, please contact
Iolanda Jaquemet: ij@omct.org, +41 79 539 41 06 (Head of Communications)
Helena Solà Martín: hs@omct.org, +41 22 8094939 (Head of the Latin America desk)
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