UN experts call for investigation into 'interference' with protests over missing persons in Mexico during World Cup

United Nations experts have called for an impartial investigation into allegations of "undue interference" with protests aimed at highlighting Mexico's crisis of missing persons during the World Cup. Six independent experts expressed concern over reports that families searching for their loved ones faced interference while peacefully voicing their concerns during the global sporting event.

"International sporting events should never occur at the expense of civic space or the rights of victims," the experts stated. They noted that activists and families of the disappeared had attempted to organize peaceful demonstrations, symbolic actions, and awareness campaigns alongside World Cup events. Their objective was to draw international attention to the high number of disappearances in Mexico and to press for truth, justice, and reparations.

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We are concerned by information related to episodes where families searching for their loved ones would have suffered interference when raising their voices peacefully during one of the world's biggest sporting events.

Official figures indicate that approximately 130,000 people have been reported missing in Mexico since 2006, a figure some specialists believe could be significantly higher. A UN report in April described the scale of the crisis as a potential "crime against humanity." The experts, who operate under a mandate from the UN Human Rights Council but do not speak for the organization, emphasized the state's responsibility to guarantee the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.

Signatories included members of the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. They reported that protesters allegedly encountered interference, intimidation, and online harassment. In some instances, police reportedly surrounded protesters distributing missing person flyers, while other groups were allegedly prevented from reaching their planned protest locations.

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International sporting events should never occur at the expense of civic space or the rights of victims.