Students' disappearance throws global spotlight on one of Mexico's 'darkest open secrets'

Responding to the news that 28 bodies found in mass graves apparently do not belong to any of the 43 students who disappeared last month at the hands of local police in the city of Iguala, Mexico,  and that more mass graves will be investigated in an attempt to establish their whereabouts, Amnesty International UK’s Director Kate Allen said:

“This tragedy has thrown a global spotlight on one of Mexico’s darkest open secrets.

“The existence of multiple mass graves which have not been investigated is chilling. The fact that locals seemingly knew about the graves shows how accustomed people have become to being routinely failed by police.

“The students’ disappearance exposes the negligence with which the Mexican authorities have treated the wave of disappearances that has ravaged the country for years. Also, it shows the collusion between public officials and criminal gangs in many disappearances.

“According to official figures, there are 22,000 missing or disappeared people in Mexico today. Almost half of them have gone missing during the current administration of President Enrique Peña Nieto.

“Political apathy, lack of will to investigate and corruption in the security forces and local authorities are just some of the ingredients in this toxic recipe in which anyone and everyone is a potential victim, destined for an unmarked mass grave.”