FIDH: Forced Disappearances of Women and Girls in Guerrero – UN Experts Call for Action

By: FIDH

10 September 2024.

A new communication highlights the “existence of a practice of forced disappearance of women and girls” in the state of Guerrero, Mexico. According to the report, these disappearances are reportedly carried out in numerous cases by private individuals, likely linked to organized crime, and possibly with the support or complicity of state agents.

The report, funded by Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) and authored by FIDH, IDHEAS Strategic Litigation in Human Rights (IDHEAS), and EMAF, with technical assistance from Justice Rapid Response (JJR), underscores alarming trends. It was published in Geneva on 11 September 2023 under the title: “Disappearances of Women and Gender-Based Violence in Guerrero: The Invisible Side of the War on Drugs.”

The communication further condemns the Mexican authorities’ failure to respond adequately to reports of enforced disappearances. It notes “the almost absolute impunity in which these acts remain” and emphasizes the absence of timely investigations and searches for the victims. The report situates these findings in the broader context of systemic gender-based violence in Guerrero and the long-standing crisis of enforced disappearances in Mexico over nearly three decades.

This call to action by independent UN experts comes after significant advocacy by FIDH and IDHEAS during the 88th session of the Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in September 2023. In this session, FIDH and IDHEAS met with Ms. Reem Alsalem, UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls. They shared critical information on the plight of women and girls in Guerrero, shedding light on the widespread impunity and structural barriers to justice.

The report details human rights violations stemming from enforced disappearances, impunity, and systemic deficiencies in the search for missing women and girls, all of which are compounded by deep-rooted patriarchal norms in Mexico.

FIDH welcomes the joint statement issued by the independent UN experts and urges the Mexican government to take immediate and effective action to:

1. Search for disappeared women and girls in Guerrero and other affected states.
2. Investigate and prosecute those responsible for these crimes.
3. Ensure justice and reparations for victims and their families.

This advocacy is part of ongoing efforts to hold governments accountable for addressing the structural violence that disproportionately affects women and girls. The call to action from UN experts marks an important step in breaking the cycle of impunity and prioritizing justice for the disappeared.

Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) Project

FON contributes to the eradication of gender-based violence worldwide through flexible funding. The Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) project aims to strengthen feminist movements by providing grants, particularly to small, unregistered organizations. With a budget of 7 million euros, FON also offers long-term mentoring and tailored training. Additionally, the project includes an action-research component to ensure the expansion and sustainability of these approaches.