DISAPPEARANCES IN MEXICO

That this House is deeply alarmed at the findings of Amnesty International's publication Confronting a Nightmare, Disappearances in Mexico; notes with concern that figures produced by the Mexican government indicated that 26,000 people were reported missing or disappeared in Mexico between 2006 and 2012 and that in 152 cases documented by Amnesty International it has found evidence of involvement by public officials in over half of them; believes the failure to conduct investigations into enforced disappearances has allowed a culture of impunity to develop; acknowledges the distress which forced disappearances have caused families of those affected and notes with deep concern that many of those who seek information on what has happened to loved ones are subject to threats and violence; supports the work of Amnesty International in this area; and calls on the Government to urge the Mexican government to accept the recommendations made in the Confronting a Nightmare report including the introduction of a general law on enforced disappearance, ensuring that officials who fail to properly investigate forced disappearances are held to account and strengthening the rights and protections of relatives of those who have disappeared.