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World April 21, 2026 03:29 PM

Disappearances Rise in Mexico as Attacks on Rights Defenders Persist, Amnesty Reports

Amnesty documents growing cases of missing persons alongside increased threats to activists, journalists and migrants amid reduced protection mechanisms

By Derek Hwang
Disappearances Rise in Mexico as Attacks on Rights Defenders Persist, Amnesty Reports

Amnesty International reported that disappearances in Mexico rose to 133,500 cases in 2025, while attacks on human rights defenders, journalists and searchers for the disappeared continued. The rights group said disappearances increased 10.5% by December even as murders fell 27.4%, and warned that threats and violence against advocates have grown as government protection mechanisms have weakened. A UN committee urged the General Assembly to treat forced disappearances in Mexico as crimes against humanity, a move rejected by President Claudia Sheinbaum as politically motivated. UN High Commissioner Volker Turk, on a four-day visit to Mexico, said the families of the disappeared have shown "unwavering courage, strength and resilience," and called for their search for truth and justice to be addressed.

Key Points

  • Disappearances in Mexico reached 133,500 cases in 2025, a 10.5% increase by December; murders declined 27.4% - impacts public security and law enforcement sectors.
  • Attacks, threats and killings of human rights defenders and journalists increased while government protection mechanisms weakened - relevant to civil society, legal services and public sector institutions.
  • Migrants traversing Mexico face extortion, kidnapping and restricted access to healthcare, education and employment - affecting healthcare, education and labor market services.

Attacks on human rights defenders, journalists and the activists who search for missing people persisted in 2025 as the number of disappearances in Mexico climbed to 133,500 cases, Amnesty International said on Tuesday.

The rights group said disappearances had increased 10.5% by December, while murders fell 27.4% over the same period, according to its annual report. Amnesty also noted Mexico remains among the countries with the highest torture rates, citing the Global Torture Index presented in 2025.

Amnesty highlighted a rise in threats, attacks and killings directed at human rights defenders and linked that increase to a reduction in government protection mechanisms. The organisation warned that diminished safeguards have coincided with greater risks for those who investigate and demand answers about the disappeared.

The report also detailed the hardships faced by migrants crossing Mexico, saying they encounter extortion, kidnapping and obstacles to accessing basic services including healthcare, education and employment.

In early April, a United Nations committee called for the General Assembly to examine forced disappearances in Mexico as crimes against humanity. President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected that call, describing it as politically motivated.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk is on a four-day visit to Mexico and is expected to address human rights concerns on Wednesday. Reflecting on meetings with relatives of missing persons, Turk said on Tuesday: "It is difficult to find the words to describe the exchanges I had today in Mexico with the families of disappeared persons. Their unwavering courage, strength and resilience inspire me deeply; their search for truth and justice must be addressed."

The Amnesty findings paint a picture of a country contending with rising disappearances even as some categories of violent crime have declined. They also underscore the continued vulnerability of civil society actors and migrants who face multiple threats while seeking safety and services within Mexico.

Notes

  • Disappearances: 133,500 cases in 2025.
  • Change by December: disappearances +10.5%; murders -27.4%.
  • Mexico listed among highest torture rates in the Global Torture Index presented in 2025.

Risks

  • Reduced protection mechanisms for rights defenders could lead to continued threats and violence against civil society actors - risk to legal advocacy and human rights organisations.
  • Persisting extortion and kidnapping of migrants present ongoing security and humanitarian risks, with implications for healthcare and social service providers that must support vulnerable populations.
  • Heightened international scrutiny after a UN committee's call to examine forced disappearances as crimes against humanity - potential diplomatic and reputational risks for government institutions.

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