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Rise in missing children

The Network for Children's Rights in Mexico (REDIM) reported that 2016 was the year in which more children and teenagers disappeared in the last 17 years

Missing children notices featured in newspapers – Photo: Nita Bhalla/REUTERS
02/12/2017 |14:32Pedro Villa y Caña |
Pedro Villa y Caña
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The Network for Children's Rights in Mexico ( REDIM ) reported that 2016 was the year in which more children and teenagers disappeared in the last 17 years.

According to the report La Infancia cuenta en México 2017. Desafíos en el acceso a la justicia para niñas, niños y adolescentes ( 2017 Childhood counts in Mexico. Challenges in access to justice for children and teenagers ) by REDIM, it is detailed that during Vicente Fox 's administration, there were 20 reported disappearances, while in the administration of Felipe Calderón there were 1,584, a figure that increased in Enrique Peña Nieto 's administration with 4,394 reported cases.

The State of Mexico records the highest number of disappearances in the country, registering one of every four cases reported.

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The rise in missing children in the country is associated with human trafficking related to violence and sexual exploitation, and violence led by armed groups and organized crime.

Juan Martín Pérez García REDIM Executive Director

emphasized that Mexico is a country where the human rights crisis has worsened having a particular impact on children and teenagers, noting that between 2006 and 2014 there were about 2,000 child murder victims reported of which half occurred in clashes involving security forces.

Juan Martín Pérez García concluded that the punishment for sexual crimes against children and teenagers in the country "is insufficient and does not guarantee access to compensation for the damage."

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