UN body finds enforced disappearances widespread in Mexico, urges quick approval of law

MEXICO CITY – A U.N. commission says enforced disappearances are widespread in Mexico, where 43 students went missing last fall allegedly at the hands of local police.

The U.N. Committee on Enforced Disappearances criticizes what it calls a failure to prevent and punish such cases, which involve kidnappings carried out or permitted by officials.

It urges Mexico to quickly pass a law specifically establishing that as a crime.

There was no immediate response from the Mexican government Friday.

Prosecutors say 43 students were grabbed by police in the southern city of Iguala on Sept. 26 and handed over to drug gang members, who killed them.

But Argentine forensics experts recently said there is not enough scientific evidence to conclusively prove the theory. Family members of the missing also doubt the official version.