The title of this note is the same one that the PPT had decided to use as a symbol and summary of the Judgment presented publicly in November 2014, at the end of a long process of research and documentation dedicated to the theme of ‘Free trade, violence, impunity and peoples’ rights in Mexico (2011-2014)’.
The disappearance of the 43 students from Iguala coincided with the final hours of the PPT proceedings. At the time of the events, the connivance and direct participation of the authorities was already clear. According to the Tribunal: “…in this realm of impunity that is today’s Mexico, there are murders with no murderers, torture with no torturers, sexual violence with no abusers, in a constant abdication of responsibility, in which it would seem that the thousands and thousands of massacres and systematic violations of the rights of peoples are always isolated acts or marginal situations rather than true crimes for which the State bears responsibility”.
These days, after nine years, the international press reports that the mandate of the Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts (GIEI) will end its work next July and that the investigation, although having made progress, is in a stalemate that could be definitive, due to the army and navy’s permanent refusal to hand over documents essential to the search for the truth and the disappeared, as well as for the responsibility of what happened to the ’43 of Ayotzinapa’. Despite the many steps taken in recent years and the will expressed by the current president ( a historic political change from the Peña Nieto government, which was directly involved in the events) to shed light upon it all, the ‘shadow’ continues to play a leading role.
The press analyses and comments were very important. Nonetheless, the PPT’s role is to highlight the gravity of yet another scenario of impunity. Ayotzinapa has become an urgent but not new indicator of the quest for an innovative democracy based on human rights.
The transformation of impunity requires institutional change under the banner of transparency, unreserved cooperation and commitment in investigations, and an honest response to the demands of family members.
Ayotiznapa is an open challenge for Mexico. A very big challenge, but a necessary one. Hopefully, its resolution according to the recommendations of the GIEI can be a strong indicator of the consistency of AMLO, which has declared its independence from powers that do not represent the direct will of those who elected it. Along these lines, a choice of transparency that recognises the inalienable priority of human rights would also be of help and memory for so many exemplary cases for the countries of the Near North (Guantanamo is an old example), and for the many national and regional realities that face similar challenges.