Families of the Disappeared in Mexico Demanding Peaceful Protest Rights

Amnesty International has called on Mexican authorities to ensure the right to peaceful protest for families of the disappeared, emphasizing the state’s obligation to protect demonstrators from repression during a period of heightened public attention due to the FIFA World Cup 2026. The organization’s statement followed events last night involving the mobilization of relatives seeking missing loved ones, which it described as a critical moment to uphold human rights protections.

“Authorities have an obligation to facilitate and protect the right to peaceful protest, not to obstruct it. Their actions must prioritize dialogue, the protection of the integrity of those taking part in demonstrations, and the adoption of measures to prevent any form of repression, intimidation or unnecessary use of force,” said Edith Olivares Ferreto, Executive Director of Amnesty International Mexico. The statement was released on June 11, 2026, as global focus shifted to the upcoming World Cup, which begins in July 2026, with Mexico serving as a host nation.

Families of the disappeared have long been central to raising awareness about the crisis of enforced disappearances in Mexico, according to the organization. “Their work is a legitimate form of human rights defense and must be recognized, respected and protected by the state,” the statement said. Amnesty International highlighted that the families’ efforts have driven progress in search initiatives, truth-seeking, and justice for victims, but their activism remains vulnerable to state inaction or hostility.

The organization urged Mexican authorities to investigate any reports of abuses during recent protests and to guarantee the safety of families and collectives advocating for the disappeared. “Guaranteeing their right to demonstrate is not a concession: it is an obligation of the Mexican state,” Olivares Ferreto stated. The call came amid concerns that the families’ demands could be “stigmatized, criminalized or exposed to additional risks” as public attention turns to the World Cup and other national events.

Amnesty International’s statement emphasized that the state’s failure to address disappearances has forced families to take on the role of advocates. “Families search because the state has failed to fully guarantee truth and justice. Their demand cannot be treated as a threat to public order,” the organization said. The statement reiterated that peaceful assembly is a fundamental right, not a disruption to public order, and that authorities must prioritize dialogue over suppression.

The organization also called for measures to ensure future protests occur under conditions of “respect, dialogue and effective protection of human rights.” It noted that the current context—marked by the World Cup and increased police presence—heightens the risk of human rights violations against demonstrators. “At a time when public and media attention is focused on events of national and international relevance, the authorities must ensure that the demands of the families of disappeared people can be expressed freely, without undue obstacles,” the statement said.

Amnesty International’s intervention underscores ongoing tensions between Mexican authorities and advocacy groups working on disappearance cases. The country has one of the highest rates of enforced disappearances in the world, with over 90,000 people reported missing since 2006, according to government data. Families of the disappeared have regularly organized protests, often facing legal challenges, surveillance, and physical threats, according to human rights monitors.

The organization’s appeal aligns with broader international calls for accountability in Mexico’s handling of disappearances. In 2023, the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances expressed concern over the lack of progress in resolving cases and the criminalization of family advocates. Amnesty International’s latest statement adds pressure on Mexican officials to reconcile their commitments to human rights with the realities of protest suppression.

For further information, Amnesty International invited inquiries via press@amnesty.org. The organization’s statement did not specify whether it had received direct communication from Mexican authorities but stressed that the onus lies on the state to act. “The right to peaceful protest is non-negotiable,” the statement concluded. “It is a cornerstone of democratic society and a duty of the state to uphold it.”