IACHR

Press Release

IACHR Announces First Visit to Mexico of the GIEI Follow-Up Mechanism

October 25, 2016

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Washington, D.C. – The Follow-Up Mechanism to Precautionary Measure 409/14, granted in connection to the students of the rural school “Raúl Isidro Burgos” in Ayotzinapa, will conduct its first visit to Mexico on November 9 to 12, 2016.

From the beginning of the implementation of the Mechanism, progress has been made in its internal work and preparation of the first visit, during which its Working Plan will be presented to the public. In addition, bilateral meetings will be held with key actors in order to guarantee effective functioning, including a meeting with the families of the victims in Ayotzinapa, in order to explain directly to them the functions and methodology of the Mechanism, in the context of the supervision of compliance with the recommendations of the Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts (GIEI).

The Mechanism is coordinated by the IACHR Rapporteur for Mexico, Commissioner Enrique Gil Botero, and has the support of the technical specialists of the Executive Secretariat of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. In addition to Rapporteur Gil Botero, the delegation conducting the first visit will also have the participation of the IACHR President, Commissioner James Cavallaro, and the Executive Secretary, Paulo Abrão. During the visit, the delegation will conduct activities in Mexico City and in Ayotzinapa.

The Working Plan of the Mechanism will have a duration of 12 months and it will include gathering information and documentation on the case. The plan will include the frequency with which the regular visits to Mexico will be conducted and the length of time that this visits should have in order for the Mechanism to operate.

"The IACHR has an expectation that the recommendations of the GIEI will be duly complied with, and that the Mechanism is useful to follow-up on the progress for their implementation," the IACHR President, James Cavallaro, said.

The establishment of a Follow-up Mechanism was agreed upon by the petitioners of the Precautionary Measure and the Mexican State, and on July 29, 2016, it was decided by the IACHR through a Resolution. This Resolution established that the Mechanism seeks to follow up on the recommendations made by the Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts (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.

"It is essential to make fast progress in the implementation of the recommendations and to take into account the centrality of the rights of the victims in the whole process. We seek the integral collaboration of the national and local authorities, of all the branches of Government, in order to comply with every recommendation of the GIEI Reports and the Precautionary Measure," said Commissioner Gil Botero, coordinator of the Mechanism.

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. 155/16