The Mexican state, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and lawyers from the Mexican Commission for the Defense and Promotion of Human Rights prepare for the hearing at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.
Peace Brigades International accompanies Tita Radilla, vice-president of the Association of Relatives of the Detained, Disappeared, and Victims of Human Rights Abuses in Mexico (AFADEM) since 2003. AFADEM works toward justice and to clarify cases of disappearances from the so-called Dirty War in Mexico in the 70’s and 80’s, when more than 450 people were disappeared in the municipality of Atoyac de Álvarez, Guerrero. Tita Radilla has taken charge of the fight on behalf of the family members of the disappeared. After more than 35 years of working for justice in the case of the disappearance of her father, Rosendo Radilla Pacheco, his case reached the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in San José, Costa Rica. Tita and Rosendo Radilla appeared in court, and gave testimony regarding the state's responsibility in the disappearance of their father. Their demand exemplifies the cases of hundreds of other disappeared people and the impunity that surrounds these cases. PBI was present at the hearing, and interviewed Tita and Rosendo Radilla, as well as their lawyers María Sirvent and Mario Solorzano from the Mexican Commission for the Defense and Promotion of Human Rights.