MEXICO/FILE: National Human Rights Commission report says thousands of Central American migrants were kidnapped in Mexico en route to the U.S. in 2010

Record ID: 303458

  • Title: MEXICO/FILE: National Human Rights Commission report says thousands of Central American migrants were kidnapped in Mexico en route to the U.S. in 2010
  • Date: 23rd February 2011
  • Summary: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (FEBRUARY 22, 2011) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING FOR THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS RAUL PLASCENCIA, PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, ENTERING THE PRESS CONFERENCE SOUNDBITE (Spanish) RAUL PLASCENCIA, PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, SAYING: "The present report documents 200 cases of major kidnapping of migrants with a total of 11,333 victims, a figure that could end up being higher by the nature of the crime and the vulnerable situation that the migrant population finds itself in, impeding full knowledge of the events of the kidnap." VARIOUS OF JOURNALIST READING THE REPORT SOUNDBITE (Spanish) PLASCENCIA, SAYING: "The amounts being charged are between two thousand and five thousand dollars, according to the information we have obtained, but some migrants refer to amounts of $ 10,000 and slightly higher." MAP OF MEXICO WITH RISK ZONES FOR MIGRANTS GENERAL VIEW OF THE NEWS CONFERENCE SOUNDBITE (Spanish) PLASCENCIA, SAYING: "The grievances that are directed against them are not only to be deprived of liberty but we also identify acts of rape, deprivation of life, mistreatment and torture, which they are exposed to and which are documented in the report, including the testimonies we have added in the report's final part. " GENERAL VIEW OF PEOPLE READING THE REPORT JOURNALISTS INTERVIEWING PRIEST AND ACTIVIST FOR MIGRANTS' RIGHTS, ALEJANDRO SOLALINDE (SOUNDBITE) (SPANISH ) PRIEST AND ACTIVIST FOR MIGRANTS' RIGHTS, ALEJANDRO SOLALINDE, SAYING: "Unfortunately, an increase in kidnaps has been noted. It also reveals the inaction and inactivity and insensitivity and irresponsibility of some authorities from the three levels of government. Sadly, it continues saying or portraying the inhumane situation that we live in, where human rights don't matter. It is money; it undermines; it must be removed by any means."
  • Embargoed: 10th March 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Mexico
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA7IG62N6J1A226K82ZLLJ46GI5
  • Story Text: Independent human rights organisation says thousands of Central American migrants get kidnapped in Mexico en route to the United States.
    Organised criminal gangs kidnapped more than 11,000 Central American migrants during their journey to the United States in 2010, said a report by an independent ngo released in Mexico City on Tuesday (February 22).
    Most of the kidnappings, rapes and abuses against migrants were made in southern Mexico, according to the Special Report on Abduction of Migrants in Mexico.
    The report was presented by Raul Plascencia, president of the National Human Rights Commission.
    "The present report documents 200 cases of major kidnapping of migrants with a total of 11,333 victims, a figure that could end up being higher by the nature of the crime and the vulnerable situation that the migrant population finds itself in, impeding full knowledge of the events of the kidnap," said Plascencia.
    The organisation investigated cases of abuse during 2010 to establish the modus operandi of the hijackers, the amount of money they charge victims for their release, and the areas in which they operate.
    "The amounts being charged are between two thousand and five thousand dollars, according to the information we have obtained, but some migrants refer to amounts of USD 10,000 and slightly higher," said Plascencia.
    Almost half of the victims were Hondurans, while thousands of Salvadorans, Guatemalans, Cubans and Nicaraguans were also targeted, the report said.
    The report accused the Mexican authorities of corruption in defending the rights of illegal migrants and inefficiency in dealing with crimes against them.
    "The grievances that are directed against them are not only to be deprived of liberty but we also identify acts of rape, deprivation of life, mistreatment and torture, which they are exposed to and which are documented in the report, including the testimonies we have added in the report's final part," said Plascencia.
    Priest Alejandro Solalinde, director of a shelter for migrants, criticised the indifference of the authorities in the long chain of crimes.
    "Unfortunately, an increase in kidnaps has been noted. It also reveals the inaction and inactivity and insensitivity and irresponsibility of some authorities from the three levels of government. Sadly, it continues saying or portraying the inhumane situation that we live in, where human rights don't matter. It is money; it undermines; it must be removed by any means," said Alexander.
    The report identifies the states of Chiapas, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Tabasco, San Luis Potosi, and Tamaulipas as places where the most violent crimes are committed against Central American migrants.
    In 2010, 72 migrants were killed in Tamaulipas for refusing to join a powerful drugs cartel, according to Mexican authorities.
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