IACHR

Press Release

IACHR Announces Launching of Implementation of GIEI Follow-Up Mechanism

September 9, 2016

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Washington, D.C. – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) announces the launching of the implementation phase of the special follow-up mechanism to Precautionary Measure 409/14, granted with regard to the students of the rural school “Raúl Isidro Burgos” in Ayotzinapa, Mexico.

The establishment of a special follow-up Mechanism was decided by the IACHR on July 29, 2016, through a resolution that seeks to follow up on the recommendations made by the Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts (Grupo Interdisciplinario de Expertos Independientes, or GIEI) in its two Reports, as well as on the precautionary measure, especially Resolution 42/16. Starting with that decision, the IACHR and the Mexican State held discussions on its resources. On September 9, 2016, the IACHR and the Mexican State finalized an agreement for the totality of resources necessary for the Mechanism to begin work.

“The work done by the IACHR was absolutely essential. The Commission believes that compliance with the recommendations made in the two reports of the GIEI is urgent,” the IACHR President, Commissioner James Cavallaro, said. “In this regard, we are satisfied with the agreement reached with the Mexican Government to move onto the implementation phase of this mechanism,” he added.

In the context of this Mechanism, the IACHR will name at least two special technical advisers from the Commission’s Executive Secretariat to gather information and documentation on the case. In coordination with the State, the technical advisers may visit Mexico as frequently as needed and for the time required for the completion of their tasks. According to the Commission’s Resolution, these advisers will have full access to the needed information in the files and other sources of information in the case, in accordance with Mexican laws and the applicable international standards.

“When the IACHR granted this precautionary measure on October 3, 2014, it requested the Mexican State to adopt the necessary measures to establish the situation and whereabouts of the 43 students identified as disappeared, with the goal of protecting their right to life and personal integrity, among other requests,” IACHR Rapporteur for Mexico, Enrique Gil Botero, said. “Compliance with this aspect is still pending, and the Commission has repeatedly urged the State to strengthen its efforts in order to determine their whereabouts. This Mechanism constitutes at the present time the ideal tool for the IACHR to follow up on this and other aspects of the precautionary measure currently in force,” he added. The follow-up Mechanism includes visits to Mexico by the Country Rapporteur and/or another Commissioners designated by the IACHR.

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 131/16