WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement commemorating the third anniversary of the forced disappearance of 43 students in Mexico:
“This week, we observe the third anniversary of the forced disappearance of 43 students in the Mexican state of Guerrero. Even though three years have passed, the tragedy of this event continues to weigh heavily on the families of the victims who have yet to receive a conclusive account of the events of September 26, 2014.
“While I recognize the Government of Mexico’s initial efforts to work with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to investigate the students’ disappearance, I urge President Peña Nieto to take all the necessary steps to ensure a sound resolution.
“In February, I traveled to Mexico and had the opportunity to hear firsthand from members of civil society who conveyed their deep concern over the level of impunity in the Mexican judicial system. The disappearance of these students is emblematic in many ways. As Mexico struggles with more than 28,000 cases of missing and disappeared persons, the lack of resolution for this case diminishes the hope for justice and accountability for all others.
“I continue to grieve with the families of the 43 students and with the tens of thousands of Mexican families whose relatives have disappeared.”
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