Ask Amnesty

From Gaby Moreno, Merced, C.A.:

Why hasn't Mexico's government and President investigated the murders during those 10 years? Why hasn't anything been done to prevent them?

Country specialist Diego Rivera responds:

Dear Gaby,

The investigation of the murders in Ciudad Juarez is under the jurisdiction of the State of Chihuahua. However, due to overwhelming pressure from both national and international human rights organizations, the Federal government of Mexico decided to intervene by assigning a special prosecutor. Obviously, this was a belated response, and human rights organizations are monitoring the situation to ensure that Mexico's publicly stated commitment to resolve these murders is translated into concrete action. There are many theories as to the reason why these murders have not been solved. One theory suggests that with the acquiescence of the local and state police, drug mafia are involved in these murders. Another theory is that powerful, affluent families in Ciudad Juarez are involved and are not being investigated because of their close political ties to the government of Mexico.