Urgent Action Outcome: Senate Started Renewal Of Citizen Council

On July 1st, the Mexican Senate agreed on the selection process of the members of the National Citizen Council of the National Search System. From 30th July to 1st August, candidates appeared before the Senate to fill the positions considered in the General Law on the Forced Disappearance of Persons, Disappearances Committed by Individuals and the National Search System. On 15th August the Senate commissions in charge of the selection process will share a list of candidates suitable for the Citizen Council.

NO FURTHER ACTION IS REQUESTED. MANY THANKS TO ALL WHO SENT APPEALS.

The Citizen Council of the National Search System, a crucial advisory body to countering the concerning situation of disappearances in the country and ensuring the right of the relatives of victims of enforced disappearances to participate in decision-making, has been vacant since May 2024 despite multiple calls from civil society groups for a fully functional institution. 

According to the Mexican General Law on the Forced Disappearance of Persons, the National Citizen Council is made up of five relatives of victims of disappearances, four experts in human rights, in searching disappeared people or in research and prosecution of crimes provided in the General Law, and four representatives of human rights organizations. It proposes measures to ensure the search for disappeared people, oversees the government’s performance in this respect and reports any possible irregularities. The Mexican Senate it is in charge of appointing its members.

On July 1st, the Mexican Senate finally agreed on the selection process of the members of the Citizen Council. From 30th July to 1st August, candidates appeared before the Senate to fill all the positions considered in the General Law on the Forced Disappearance of Persons. On 15th August the latest, the Senate commissions in charge of the selection process will share a decision with a list of candidates suitable for the Citizen Council.

The public campaign to demand the Mexican Senate to open the call and appoint the

members of the National Citizen Council of the National Search System expanded public oversight and accountability. We will continue monitoring the progress of the selection process, calling Mexican authorities to ensure the right of the relatives of victims of disappearance to participate in decision-making. We will also let you know if any further action is needed.

NAME AND PREFFERED PRONOUN: Disappeared people and their relatives (they/them)

THIS IS THE SECOND AND FINAL OUTPUT FOR UA 31/25

LINK TO PREVIOUS UA: https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/amr41/9193/2025/en/