Failure of the State: Organized Crime and Mexico’s Disappeared – A Book Launch and Discussion

Join us for a book launch and author discussion! Snacks will be served. RSVP HERE. 

Traditionally a repressive tactic of state actors, disappearances today occur in varied contexts and are often committed by non-state actors such as organized criminal groups. However, these disappearances are not considered human rights violations under International Human Rights Law, leaving a gap in the legal protection of victims. HRC Senior Researcher for Investigations Lene Guercke examines these issues and more in her debut book “Failure of the State: Organized Crime and Mexico’s Disappeared.” Guercke explores state responsibility for disappearances committed by non-state actors and organized criminal groups in international human rights law. In addition to legal research, she includes a qualitative analysis of interviews with human rights practitioners working on disappearances in Mexico, which illustrate the challenges of working in a context of complete protection failure by the state.

Featured speakers include:

• Dr. Lene Guercke, Author and Senior Researcher for Investigations, Human Rights Center
• Omar Gómez-Trejo, former Lead Prosecutor, Ayotzinapa special investigation
• Dr. Alexa Koenig, Co-Faculty and Investigations Director, Human Rights Center, Berkeley Law

For accommodations for people with disabilities please call (510) 642 0965.