* News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International *
News Service: 226/99
AI INDEX: 41/36/99
1 December 1999
Mexico
Common graves in Ciudad Juárez -- Amnesty International calls for transparency and meticulous investigations
No stone must be left unturned in investigating the full circumstances surrounding the discovery of bodies in common
graves in Ciudad Juárez, Amnesty International said today, calling for full transparency and thorough forensic
investigations.
"Those responsible must be brought to justice, and for that it is imperative that all investigations are carried out
with the clear aim of finding the truth, that all findings be made public and that a thoroughly professional approach is
used when exhuming the bodies," stressed Peter Archard, Amnesty International's researcher on Mexico.
"The possibility that scores of bodies may be unearthed in the graves underlines the crucial importance of conducting
meticulous forensic investigations designed to identify the victims, establish the precise circumstances, manner and
cause of their death, and ensure that those implicated do not escape the full rigour of the law."
The Mexican authorities have stated that on-site forensic work initiated two days ago near Ciudad Juárez and close to
the border with the United States of America (USA) concerns the "disappearance" of some 100 persons who fell victim to
organized drug-traffickers. However, Amnesty International has information which indicates that some of those
"disappeared” were last seen in the custody of people believed to be members of the Mexican security forces.
The organization has long been calling for full and independent investigations into "disappearances" in Mexico reported
to have taken place in the context of anti-narcotics operations. To date little if any progress has been made in
resolving these cases.
The new impulse to the investigations into these "dísappearances" under the direction of Mexico's Office of the Attorney
General, Procuraduría General de la República, with the collaboration of the USA Federal Bureau of Investigation, will
hopefully result in the victims’ families establishing the fate of their loved ones.
"The findings will also hopefully serve as a basis for the authorities to open criminal proceedings against anyone
implicated in the deaths, no matter whether they be civilians or state agents," concluded the organization.
For further information please see Amnesty International, Mexico: "Disappearances": a black hole in the protection of
human rights, AI Index: AMR 41/05/98, May 1998.
ENDS.../
Amnesty International, International Secretariat, 1 Easton Street, WC1X 8DJ, London, United Kingdom
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