Summary
The case of Mexico’s 43 missing students, who disappeared in 2014, continues to resonate deeply as families and supporters commemorate the 10-year anniversary of their abduction. On September 26, 2024, protests were held across Mexico, with families demanding justice and accountability from the government amid ongoing frustrations over the lack of answers regarding their children’s fate.
The students, who were attending the Rural Normal School at Ayotzinapa, were last seen being taken by police in Iguala while en route to a protest. Initial investigations by the government at the time suggested that local police, acting under the orders of the mayor, handed the students over to a drug cartel, Guerreros Unidos, where they were allegedly killed. However, subsequent investigations by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and a Truth Commission have challenged these findings, indicating a broader involvement of state authorities and military forces. Despite numerous arrests, including that of former Attorney General Jesús Murillo Karam, families express disappointment over the lack of convictions and the perceived obstruction of justice by the current administration of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who has been criticized for not fully investigating military involvement in the case. The protests serve as a powerful reminder of the ongoing human rights crisis in Mexico, where over 115,000 people remain missing.
Ongoing Demands for Justice
Families of the missing students have maintained a relentless pursuit of truth, gathering monthly to march in Mexico City and demand accountability. They argue that the government has failed to fulfill promises made to investigate the case thoroughly. This year’s protests saw thousands march in the rain, chanting slogans like “Alive they took them, alive we want them back,” emphasizing their belief that their children may still be alive and their hope for justice remains unfulfilled.
The Role of Activism and Public Memory
The case has become emblematic of the broader issues of violence, corruption, and impunity in Mexico. Activists have created “anti-monuments” in cities across the country to honor the missing and to keep public attention on the crisis. These installations serve as lasting reminders of the individuals affected by the violence and the families’ ongoing struggle for recognition and justice. The persistence of these protests and memorials reflects not only the pain of the families but also a collective demand for systemic change within Mexican society.
Families of 43 missing students in Mexico are still demanding justice
Sep. 27 / The Bbc “ Through driving rain, Luz Maria Telumbre travelled to Mexico City from the western state of Guerrero to mark 10 years since the darkest night of her life....
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