A Lesson on Silence

“Being silent is a guarantee for the police, military and politicians to continue their tactics with impunity. Surely many [of the disappeared] are dead, but their families want to know where they are buried, to at least place a flower. Our children don’t know us or where we went. Those who were not interested in politics are now raising their voices to overcome their fear. Say no to silence, denounce the torturers. We know who they are and the interminable list of those who must be held responsible. Against illegal arbitrary arrests we must keep on raising our voice."

This is Juan Sosa Maldonado, abducted in 1998, tortured, and imprisoned until 2006, speaking last Friday in Oaxaca at a national forum entitled “Twenty-First Century: Forced Disappearance, A Current Policy in the Nation of Mexico.” NarcoNews has a story on the conference, the practice of forced disappearances in Oaxaca, and the current investigation into the police beating of a protester in July. Read the whole thing here.