Organized Crime and Government Take Part in Recent Dissapearances in Mexico

In a recent article in CPJ, it reports that according to Representative Gerardo Priego, who heads a congressional committee on violence against the press and who supports federalization of such crimes, "The main source of danger for journalists is organized crime--and the second is the government,"

Preigo goes on to mention, "The worst scenario for journalists is when organized crime and the government become partners. And in many parts of this country, they are completely intertwined."

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, forced disappearances have been prevalent throughout Latin America's modern history, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s, during a time of right-wing dictatorships and civil war.

However since then in Proceso, a weekly publication in Mexico City, in 2008 at least 600 people have gone missing nationwide since late 2006, when Calderón was inaugurated and deployed the army and police to become stricter on organized crime. Although his long-term efforts are to benefit the country, it unfortunately has actually led to more violence and disappearances with organized crime more exposed and “vulnerable”.

In at least some missing-person cases, Proceso found evidence of government involvement.

Kaitlyn Lembo

New Russian leader attempts to gain confidence in republic territories

Russia’s new president, Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, has been working hard to make sure Russians do not criticize or need security against the government. Although he has made some effort, including ordering barriers to be removed from government offices, Yevkurov has another challenge. The challenge he faces is bringing Ingushetia, a small republic that neighbors Chechnya, under control.
Yevkurov has to watch for Ingushetia, since there is still a war between the Ingush militants and the federal forces that have trouble controlling them. His main worry is that Ingushetia will turn into Chechnya, causing problems on Russia’s southern border. President Dmitri A. Medvedev chose Yevkurov to win over the trust and popularity of the Ingush as a result of his removal of the republic’s unpopular leader.
Some interesting information about Ingushetia is that in order to enter, pedestrians must register at an officer, as if people were entering a different country. The republic is home to less than a million people, where unemployment is at 47.4 percent, making it the highest in any Russian republic. With this issue, hopefully President Medvedev and Yevkurov will be able to restore trust in the government for the people of Ingushetia and all the republics that are in Russia.

By Rachel Rovner (Russia)