Against Impunity in Mexico / 43 Disappeared Students and Special Monitoring Mechanism

(For English see below) Queridos amigos, El pasado 6 de julio, durante la última reunión de los familiares de los normalistas desaparecidos con la canciller Claudia Ruiz Massieu (SRE) lamentablemente no solamente no hubo avances para acordar el Mecanismo Especial de Seguimiento, sino que hubo un retroceso sobre los acuerdos anteriores en la reunión del 19 de mayo. En conversación telefónica, Felipe de la Cruz señala que la SRE ha detenido el proceso de avance, ya que la SRE se rehúsa a mantener de manera permanente el Mecanismo Especial de Seguimiento hasta terminar las investigaciones y saber sobre el paradero de los normalistas. Asimismo la SRE se opone dar a conocer a los medios los avances del grupo externo de la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (CIDH) y durante las conversaciones ha puesto candados para que los expertos designados por la CIDH tengan acceso a la información. En este contexto, es importante que sigamos apoyando a los familiares y exijamos al gobierno mexicano la colaboración y aprobación del Mecanismo Especial de Seguimiento de las recomendaciones hechas con el GIEI. Hasta ahora el GIEI ha sido la única instancia que ha trabajado con seriedad, profesionalismo y respeto para los familiares. Detener el Mecanismo Especial de Seguimiento significa quedarnos sin un monitoreo que exija rendición de cuentas a las autoridades y eventualmente pueda llegar la justicia. Comparte esta petición con tus amigos y conocidos, difunde en las redes. Queremos reunir las firmas para el 26 de septiembre y entregarla a las autoridades mexicanas (Presidencia, Gobernación, PGR, SRE, Senado), embajada de México en EU, el departamento de estado en EU, así como la CIDH, el Comisionado de Derechos Dumanos de las Naciones Unidas y el Consejo de la Unión Europea. Si deseas que tu organización se una a la firma de la carta por favor ponte en contacto a: carmenguerrero.organizer@gmail.com o agomez@haverford.edu Saludos solidarios, Aurelia Dear friends, On July 6th, chancellor of Foreign Affairs, Claudia Ruiz Massieu, met with relatives of the disappeared students of Ayotzinapa, who are asking Mexican government to sign a Special Monitoring Mechanism and follow up recommendations dictated by Inter American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). Unfortunately the meeting ended and it was a huge setback, as Felipe de la Cruz reported us by phone call. Previous agreements with chancellor Ruiz Massieu, as a result of the meeting held on May 19th, were pushed back because Foreign Affairs Secretary refused to approve a permanent follow up mechanism, at least until investigations are finished and find out the whereabouts of disappeared students. Mexican government also refuses to inform to the media any advance of investigations resulted from the Special Monitoring Mechanism, and overall Foreign Affairs Secretary has been delaying developed process and locking access to information. In the context of systematic violence, torture, violations of human rights, and enforced disappearance of more than 26,000 individuals in the last 10 years, we demand the Mexican government to collaborate and approve the Special Monitoring Mechanism. Investigations made by GIEI, an independent team to investigate the disappearance on behalf of the Inter American Commission on Human Rights, has been the only hope for the relatives and Mexicans for providing truth. Their investigation has been conducted with professionalism, it has been reliable, and it has treated relatives of disappeared with respect. The Special Monitoring Mechanism is a trustworthy and independent avenue for demanding truth, justice and accountability to the Mexican government. For these reasons, I’m writing to you, and asking for your support by signing this petition, and by involving your friends and peers. Please spread the word on social networks. We are collecting signatures for delivering them to Mexican government, the US Department of State, Inter American Commission on Human Rights, United Nations and European Union Council. If you would like to sign as organization please send us an email to carmenguerrero.organizer@gmail.com or agomez@haverford.edu Warm regards, Aurelia