Enforced disappearance as a form of psychological torture: Evidence from the Ayotzinapa Case (México)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7146/torture.v32i3.125248Keywords:
Tortura psicológica, desaparición forzada y ejecución extrajudicial.Abstract
Abstract
Objective: To analyse the impacts of forced disappearance as a form of psychological torture in the forced disappearance of students known as the Ayotzinapa Case (Mexico). To make visible the effects of impunity.
Method: Historical and documentary analysis. Interviews with two groups of people affected: 1) relatives of the 43 young students who disappeared; 2) young students that survived. Analysis of the information obtained from the group and individual clinical interventions carried out during three months.
Results. In both groups, various impacts related to political violence were identified, in particular forced disappearance, which leads us to consider that the criteria for torture are fulfilled and especially the elements derived from the subsequent re-victimising action of the State in the investigations and the impunity derived from the lack of access to justice and truth.
Conclusion: In addition to the enforced disappearance itself and its impacts, the suffering resulting from the State’s subsequent processes must be analysed.
Keywords: Psychological torture, forced disappearance, impunity.
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Español
El artículo tiene como propósito analizar los indicios de tortura psicológica en los familiares de los desaparecidos y los estudiantes sobrevivientes del caso de Ayotzinapa, a raíz de la desaparición forzada, la ejecución extrajudicial de los estudiantes y los mecanismos de impunidad liderados por el estado. Se utilizó como metodología, el análisis del discurso de las víctimas a través intervenciones clínicas grupales e individuales durante 3 meses. Los resultados de las entrevistas mostraron sentimientos de humillación, culpa y deterioro a nivel físico, psicológico, familiar y social a raíz de los eventos ocurridos el 26 de septiembre, así como el incremento del deterioro derivado de la falta de justicia, la criminalización y la impunidad por parte de funcionarios del estado. Por lo tanto se concluye que si hay incidencia de tortura psicológica en las víctimas del caso de Ayotzinapa. El trabajo busca evidenciar la relación entre la tortura psicológica y la desaparición forzada en los familiares.
Keywords: Tortura psicológica, desaparición forzada y ejecución extrajudicial.
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Acknowledgements. To the editor.in.chief of the Journal who discussed in different drafts and helped rewrite extensive parts of the paper.
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