Mexico City Challenges UN Report on Disappearances, Citing Omissions and Questionable Methodology
Mexico City, April 5 – The Mexico City government has publicly supported the federal administration’s stance against the United Nations Committee on Enforced Disappearances report, questioning its methodology and conclusions regarding the situation of disappearances in Mexico.
In a statement issued on April 5, Mexico City’s Head of Government, Clara Brugada, asserted that the UN committee’s report primarily relies on incidents occurring between 2009 and 2017. She argued that the report extrapolates this period to Mexico’s current reality without adequately acknowledging the significant changes in public policy concerning security and assistance to disappeared persons.
The capital’s government deemed it serious that the document failed to include evidence submitted by the Mexican state. It further indicated that the report’s findings are “questionable” because, it claims, the committee did not properly assess the measures adopted to address the phenomenon of disappearances.
Federal Government’s Position and Historical Context
This comes after the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) also rejected the UN report, stating that enforced disappearance is no longer a state policy. The UN report had earlier characterized disappearances in Mexico as a crime against humanity, a claim the Mexican government labeled as “tendentious.”
Mexico City’s administration also highlighted that the report does not clearly differentiate between enforced disappearances committed by the state and those perpetrated by civilians or criminal organizations. It maintained that the current federal government does not repress or disappear individuals, and is actively promoting comprehensive public policies to tackle the issue and eradicate human rights violations.
The statement also referenced the historical context of disappearances in Mexico, noting that previous administrations saw systematic repression against the population, with thousands of enforced disappearance cases attributed to the state. It also mentioned the “war on drugs” declared by former President Felipe Calderón as a contributing factor to the rise in disappearances in subsequent years.
Actions Taken by the Mexican Government
The Mexico City government underscored various initiatives implemented during former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration. These include the establishment of search commissions in states, the creation of the National Human Identification Center, and an increased budget for locating disappeared persons, along with the publication of information on missing individuals.
Specifically, in Mexico City, Clara Brugada’s administration reiterated that victim support is a priority. It highlighted the formation of a permanent cabinet to address the issue and the establishment of a Comprehensive Care Center to support families through various institutions, including the local prosecutor’s office, the Secretariat of Security, and the Search Commission.
Furthermore, the capital’s government announced the creation of a Temporary Shelter Center for unidentified and unclaimed deceased persons. This initiative aims to ensure proper identification processes and dignified handover to their families.
Rejection of Narratives and Future Commitments
The local administration reiterated its support for the federal government’s stance against the UN committee’s report. It rejected what it described as narratives suggesting collusion between organized crime and the Mexican state. It also criticized the political use of the report, alleging it promotes agendas that undermine national sovereignty.
Finally, the Mexico City government expressed solidarity with the families of disappeared persons. It pledged to continue working with civil organizations and search collectives to build increasingly comprehensive, humane, and effective public policies to address the crisis of disappearances.
Background to the Controversy
The UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances activated an extraordinary procedure to analyze the situation of disappearances in Mexico. It requested the UN Secretary-General to bring the case before the General Assembly, considering indications that this crime might be widespread or systematic in the country.
This decision followed a review of information from civil organizations, victims, and previous reports on the crisis of disappeared persons. According to the committee, Mexico accounts for more urgent actions for enforced disappearance than any other country, alongside a rise in cases and structural failures in searching, investigating, and assisting victims. The body also warned that some disappearances might involve direct participation of public officials or the acquiescence of authorities, which could lead to international responsibilities for the state.
In response, the Mexican government, through the Secretariats of Foreign Affairs (SRE) and Interior (Segob), rejected the report. They argued that it presented “tendentious” conclusions lacking legal rigor and omitted updated information and institutional advancements made in recent years to combat this crime. Mexican authorities contend that many disappearances are linked to criminal organizations rather than state agents, thus arguing that the international mechanism activated by the UN – intended for contexts of systematic disappearances committed by authorities – does not correspond to the country’s current reality.
Source: https://lasillarota.com/metropoli/2026/4/5/cdmx-acusa-omisiones-en-informe-de-la-onu-sobre-desapariciones-en-mexico-593308.html
