In an urgent appeal that resonates in the halls of power and in the hearts of thousands of families, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, described the disappearances crisis in Mexico as a “tragedy” of painful proportions.

At the close of his official visit to the country, the diplomat urged the government of President Claudia Sheinbaum to strengthen the State's capacity to address a problem he described as one of the most serious human rights issues, to safeguard search mechanisms, and to prevent the pain of victims from being used as a political bargaining chip.

While institutional acknowledging progress made by the Mexican government, he stressed that structural challenges persist, such as impunity, organized crime violence, and weaknesses in investigative processes.

“Disappearances remain one of the most painful problems. They cause unimaginable suffering for families. and erode trust in institutions,” Turk stated at a press conference.

Call to strengthen search efforts and combat impunity

The United Nations official emphasized the need to strengthen search mechanisms, improve forensic identification processes, and guarantee the protection of victims and groups involved in these efforts.

According to official figures, Mexico has more than 133,000 missing persons, in a context marked by organized crime violence and the constant flow of weapons. Turk noted that, although robust legal and institutional frameworks exist, such as the National Search System, their effective implementation remains a challenge.

The High Commissioner also highlighted the role of family groups, mostly led by women, who he recognized for their “courage and tenacity” in leading the search for their loved ones and demanding accountability. “It was painful to hear testimonies from families who have been searching for years without answers, even risking their lives,” he said. In that regard,He insisted that the victims must be at the center of any strategy and asked that the issue not be politicized. Polarization, violence, and additional concerns. Turk also warned about a polarized environment surrounding the disappearances crisis, which, in his view, hinders progress toward comprehensive solutions. "This effort must not be politicized. A national commitment that transcends political positions is required," he stated. During his visit, the official held meetings with federal authorities, including the Mexican Secretary of the Interior, Rosa Icela Rodriguez, as well as with representatives of the judiciary and civil society organizations. Regarding the report by the UN Committee against Enforced Disappearances, which drew criticism from the Mexican government, Turk stated that it should be respected, although he avoided commenting on whether the situation in Mexico could be classified as a crime against humanity. The High Commissioner also expressed concern about other issues, such as violence against journalists and human rights defenders, as well as the persistence of gender-based violence. She noted that the daily murder of women remains alarming and requires stronger action. She also questioned the use of automatic pretrial detention, warning that it can affect fundamental rights such as the presumption of innocence and due process. Despite the challenges, Turk acknowledged progress in social policies and the strengthening of the rights of indigenous peoples, as well as Mexico's active role in the international human rights system. Finally, she reiterated her office's willingness to collaborate with the Mexican State in designing concrete measures to address the crisis and guarantee justice for victims the. During his visit, the official held meetings with federal authorities, including the Mexican Secretary of the Interior, Rosa Icela Rodriguez, as well as with representatives of the judiciary and civil society organizations. Regarding the report by the UN Committee against Enforced Disappearances, which drew criticism from the Mexican government, Turk stated that it should be respected, although he avoided commenting on whether the situation in Mexico could be classified as a crime against humanity. The High Commissioner also expressed concern about other issues, such as violence against journalists and human rights defenders, as well as the persistence of gender-based violence. She noted that the daily murder of women remains alarming and requires stronger action. She also questioned the use of automatic pretrial detention, warning that it can affect fundamental rights such as the presumption of innocence and due process. Despite the challenges, Turk acknowledged progress in social policies and the strengthening of the rights of indigenous peoples, as well as Mexico's active role in the international human rights system. Finally,she reiterated her office's willingness to collaborate with the Mexican State in designing concrete measures to address the crisis and guarantee justice for the victims. During her visit, the official held meetings with federal authorities, including the Mexican Secretary of the Interior, Rosa Icela Rodriguez, as well as with representatives of the judiciary and civil society organizations. Regarding the report by the UN Committee against Enforced Disappearances, which drew criticism from the Mexican government, Turk stated that it should be respected, although he avoided commenting on whether the situation in Mexico could be classified as a crime against humanity. The High Commissioner also expressed concern about other issues, such as violence against journalists and human rights defenders, as well as the persistence of gender-based violence. She noted that the daily murder of women remains alarming and requires stronger action. She also questioned the use of automatic pretrial detention, warning that it can affect fundamental rights such as the presumption of innocence and due process. Despite the challenges, Turk acknowledged progress in social policies and the strengthening of the rights of indigenous peoples, as well as Mexico's active role in the international human rights system. Finally, she reiterated her office's willingness to collaborate with the Mexican State in designing concrete measures to address the crisis and guarantee justice for the victims.