CNDH Rejects UN's Stance on Disappearances as Mexico Grapples with Crisis

The Comisión Nacional de los Derechos Humanos (CNDH) in Mexico is currently disputing the United Nations' assessment of the country's ongoing crisis of disappearances. According to a recent statement, the CNDH considers the UN’s position to be «descontextualized,» particularly regarding the severity and causes of the disappearances plaguing the nation.

Contradictory Views on the Crisis

The CNDH is refuting claims that Mexico is experiencing a generalized crisis of disappearances, especially those attributed to state policies. As the CNDH prepares to inaugurate a regional office in Jalisco, a state heavily impacted by disappearances, the organization is asserting its own perspective on the matter. «We believe that the stance of the president of the UN Committee against Enforced Disappearances is completely out of touch with the reasons behind the persistence of disappearances in our country,» the CNDH stated in a recent press release.

This divergence in opinion arises after the UN Committee against Enforced Disappearances (CED) activated Article 34 of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons against Enforced Disappearances. This action could potentially escalate the issue to the UN General Assembly, signaling international concern over the situation in Mexico. Olivier de Frouville, president of the CED, explained that the decision followed the receipt of «substantiated information indicating that enforced disappearance is carried out in a generalized or systematic manner in the territory under the jurisdiction of Mexico.»

CNDH's Defense of National Efforts

In response, the CNDH maintains that such assertions «deviate from what should be a serious judgment of the conditions currently experienced in Mexico.» Furthermore, the commission argues that external interventions or recommendations have historically proven ineffective and, at times, have even complicated efforts to address the «undeniable» problem of disappearances.

The CNDH is emphasizing its commitment to addressing the crisis through national initiatives, such as the upcoming opening of a regional office in Guadalajara, Jalisco, scheduled for April 15. This office aims to provide direct support to the population and handle petitions related to human rights violations in the region. The agency defends the «sovereign» decision of opening the office in Jalisco.

The Jalisco Context: A Hotspot for Disappearances

Jalisco remains a focal point of the crisis. The recent discovery of the Izaguirre ranch in Teuchitlán, allegedly linked to the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), has intensified pressure on President Claudia Sheinbaum to address the issue. The ranch, uncovered by collectives of mothers and families of disappeared persons, contained bone fragments, personal belongings, and numerous items of clothing, underscoring the grim reality of the disappearances.

National Statistics: A Deepening Crisis

The statistics paint a stark picture. Mexico has recorded over 120,000 disappearances, according to the Registro Nacional de Personas Desaparecidas y No Localizadas (RNPDNO), documenting cases since the 1950s. Since President Sheinbaum took office on October 1, 2024, over 6,500 new cases have been reported—an average of 40 disappearances per day, according to government data.

The Role of Civil Society and the Media

Civil society organizations and the media are playing a crucial role in documenting and raising awareness about the disappearances. The collective efforts of families and activists are essential in uncovering clandestine sites and pressuring authorities to investigate. According to Agencia EFE, the discovery of the Izaguirre ranch was a direct result of these collective efforts. The work of Grupo Milenio and other news organizations helps keep the issue in the public eye, ensuring that the voices of the victims and their families are heard.

The Path Forward

As Mexico continues to grapple with the crisis of disappearances, the differing perspectives of the CNDH and international bodies like the UN highlight the complexities of addressing this issue. The CNDH's focus on national solutions and its rejection of external criticism indicate a desire for self-determination in addressing the problem. However, the alarming statistics and the ongoing discoveries of clandestine sites underscore the urgency of the situation.

Moving forward, it will be crucial for the Mexican government, civil society, and international organizations to find common ground and collaborate effectively to address the root causes of disappearances, provide support to the victims and their families, and ensure accountability for those responsible. The opening of the CNDH's regional office in Jalisco represents a step towards greater local engagement, but sustained efforts are needed to stem the tide of disappearances and bring justice to the countless families affected.

The debate continues, and the world is watching as Mexico confronts this profound human rights challenge.