Mexico: The search for disappeared persons is a high-risk activity for collectives of women searchers
Women who search for their loved ones among the more than 128,000 disappeared and missing persons in Mexico additionally face a growing number of impacts and violence which have so far claimed the lives of at least 16 of these women, Amnesty International has claimed today in its report Disappearing again. The report includes statements from 600 women searchers from 30 Mexican states and countries such as El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras who generously shared their experiences through a survey, as well as in focus groups and interviews.
“Women searchers carry out an incredibly important role in defending human rights in an exceptionally hostile environment. Despite the serious instances of violence and impacts they face, they support other families living through their same situation. They have promoted legislation, public policies and the creation of institutions specializing in the search for disappeared persons. The authorities must guarantee the right of families to search for their loved ones and take action to end the constant violations of human rights they experience while doing so,” said Ana Piquer, Americas director at Amnesty International.