Mexican gov't blocks investigation over missing students
Demonstrators demanding justice in the case of the 43 disappeared Ayotzinapa students. Photo: Clayton Conn/TeleSUR.
The lawyer representing the parents and relatives of 43 missing Ayotzinapa students criticised the Mexican government on May 14 for stopping a meeting between experts from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and army officials.
TeleSUR English said that day that the Mexican government is denying permission for the interviews, alleging the questions should be directed to the attorney general's office, which is the body that should interview the military officials.
“Denying the intervention or recommendations made by international groups is something done by authoritarian governments,” said Vidulfo Rosales Sierra, the relatives' lawyer.
Experts from the IACHR investigating the Ayotzinapa case requested direct interviews with several army officials, given evidence pointing to military involvement.
Rosales told Mexican daily La Jornada that some testimonies show soldiers were working in alliance with organised criminal groups, even providing them protection in the region. The experts explained the interviews are vital for their investigation, since many military officials were present the night the students were forcefully abducted.
Mexican farmworkers win big gains
Farm laborers in the San Quintin valley in Baja California inform the public of the results of their meeting with officials May 14, 2015.
Mexican farmworkers, who have been protesting for months for better working conditions in San Quintin, Baja California, won big gains on May 15 after Mexican authorities agreed to 12 of their 14 demands.
TeleSUR English said that day that Mexican authorities agreed to several of the labourers measures, including ensuring access to social security, combating child labour, establishing greater security measures, building housing for workers and ensuring labour rights according to law.
However, the two sides had yet to agree on wage rises, a key reasons the farmworkers began their protests. They agree on a three-week deadline to reach an agreement on wages.
The workers – many of whom are women and indigenous migrants from other Mexican states – began their strike March 17. The workers said they will continue to mobilise until they reach a final agreement with authorities.
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