Mexico Ayotzinapa: UN Human Rights Office stands by report findings

Spanish

GENEVA (9 May 2018) – The UN Human Rights Office has stressed that it stands both by the methodology and the findings of its report into allegations of torture and cover-ups in the Ayotzinapa case, following criticisms made public on Monday by the Mexican Government.

After a thorough reading of the Mexican Government’s position, the Office reaffirms that it operated within its mandate set out in the agreement signed with the Mexican Government in 2002 that established its country office. In addition, the report was drawn up in accordance with an agreement covering its activities, despite the Government’s decision not to renew this agreement on 1 February 2018.

The report, “Double Injustice: Report on human rights violations in the investigation of the Aytozinapa case”, published on 15 March 2018, concluded that there were strong grounds to believe that at least 34 people detained during the early stages of the investigation into the disappearance of 43 students from Ayotzinapa in 2014 were tortured and many of them arbitrarily detained. These serious violations were in turn inadequately investigated and covered up.

The UN Human Rights Office reiterates its call to the Mexican authorities to implement the report’s recommendations, so as to clarify the facts of what happened, guarantee justice, provide reparations to victims, and ensure non-repetition of these tragic events.

The Office also urges the authorities to conclude investigations within a reasonable time limit, and identify those responsible for the arbitrary detentions, acts of torture and other human rights violations described in its report.
The Office will closely monitor the results of any such investigations, noting that to date no one has been held accountable.

The UN Human Rights Office and its staff in Mexico reiterate that they will continue to work for the promotion and protection of human rights in the country.

ENDS

For more information please contact: Liz Throssell - + 41 22 917 9466 / ethrossell@ohchr.org or
Gabriela Gorjón: +5255 5061 6374, Mob. +52 1 55 5438 1729 /   ggorjon@ohchr.org  

2018 is the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN on 10 December 1948. 

The Universal Declaration – translated into a world record 500 languages – is rooted in the principle that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” It remains relevant to everyone, every day. In honour of the 70thanniversary of this extraordinarily influential document, and to prevent its vital principles from being eroded, we are urging people everywhere to Stand Up for Human Rights: www.standup4humanrights.org. 

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