The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) published a report today on alleged human rights violations in the investigation into the Iguala case.  In this regard, the Mexican government states the following:

  1. It is particularly concerning that the OHCHR report draws conclusions about situations that are currently under investigation or being studied by the judiciary.
  2. In addition, as the OHCHR itself acknowledges, the report is limited to issues that have already been pointed out by the Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts (GIEI), whose recommendations are being addressed by the appropriate authorities.  Therefore, the report contributes no new information that would help the investigation move forward.
  3. The government is working intensely on the Iguala case together with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) follow-up mechanism in compliance with the commission's precautionary measures.  As the IACHR was informed at its last session, held in Bogotá, Colombia from February 22-March 2, the investigation of this case has involved an unprecedented effort by the Mexican government, which has recently made significant progress that is not reflected in the OHCHR report.
  4. As the IACHR was informed, important information has been received in the last few weeks about potential perpetrators and possible motives, in addition to the search efforts and assistance for the victims.  In this regard, the Mexican government once again reiterates its commitment to agree on individualized plans with the victims based on a psychosocial study that will be subject to a detailed analysis and discussion with the victims' representatives.
  5. In several high-level meetings with the OHCHR Representative in Mexico, the Mexican government pointed out various issues related to the contents of the report, particularly in relation to its methodology and gaps in its information, noting that all the alleged violations and irregularities mentioned are being investigated or studied by the appropriate judicial authorities.
  6. As the OHCHR was informed at the time, its report leaves out important information that can be found in the files, including expert evidence obtained in accordance with the highest existing international standards (Istanbul Protocol). The current investigations and information contained in the files provide evidence that does not support the report's conclusions.
  7. In this regard, and as the IACHR was also informed, the commission of such acts has not been proven in any of the cases analyzed and submitted for study under the Istanbul Protocol, except in a few rare cases, which have already been reported publicly. Nevertheless, the appropriate procedures are moving forward.  This, coupled with the fact that there is other evidence in the files in addition to any confessions the detainees might have made, strengthens the criminal cases.

As it has stated all along, the Mexican government reiterates that it will continue working with the IACHR follow-up mechanism and with the victims' families and representatives to exhaust all lines of investigation until the case has been resolved and there is a full understanding of what happened to the missing students and those reponsible are punished in conformity with Mexico's laws and international obligations in this area.