Enforced disappearances have become a global strategy to spread terror and convey a message to society. These disappearances are the cause of economic, political, and social problems. It seeks to silence a population through the disappearance of its members—an inhumane strategy provoked by people with power to maintain social order. The number of enforced disappearances gradually increased to the point that the UN General Assembly declared August 30 the International Day of the victims of Enforced Disappearance.
There are hundreds of cases worldwide of disappearances that are due to political presence or dangerous liberalism of the government, among other things. The most notable aspect of this commemoration is the many Latin American cases of enforced disappearances. Seven of the ten countries that the UN classifies with the most enforced disappearances since 1980 are in Latin America. An easy example is the 43 students from the Escuela Rural Normal de Ayotizinapa who disappeared from the Mexican city of Iguala one night in September 2014. Their case caused controversy for Mexican people, interrupting the school year and silencing the entire population. Their disappearance was so shocking, but they have never been forgotten. Even to this day, they still search for their whereabouts, despite knowing they are no longer alive. The impunity and corruption, in this case, fell on all Mexicans as an unsolved state crime.
Should it be a date to commemorate? Yes and no. First, there should be no enforced disappearances or a particular date to commemorate. These are lives taken from their loved ones and everything they know. Why does this happen? To avoid a rebellion; a social difference. It’s an inhumane food chain to keep one quiet, orderly, and undisturbed. Even today, Mexico mourns their disappearances, blaming the government but keeping quiet to not be the next victims to disappear.
We shouldn’t forget all the enforced disappearances; even if they are no longer here to make a difference; we can still raise awareness for them.
Today is the International Day for Victims of Enforced Disappearances.
Mexico is in the midst of a disappearance crisis. 100k+ are missing.
Police and prosecutors rarely investigate, leaving families to search alone.
The UN issued a scathing report in April https://t.co/0VpP2x58i5 pic.twitter.com/ZCN4CuaoWH
— Tyler Mattiace (@TMattiaceHRW) August 30, 2022
Learn More: https://www.un.org/en/observances/victims-enforced-disappearance
