Diplomat Jim Patterson and Senator Dianne Feinstein on Mexican Human Rights Abuses

Dear Mr. Patterson:

Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns regarding human rights abuses by police in Mexico.  I appreciate the time you took to write, and I welcome the opportunity to respond.

As you mentioned in your letter, on September 26, 2014, a group of 43 students went missing near Iguala, Mexico.  Various accounts have indicated that local police, under the direction of Igualan Mayor Jose Luis Abarca, were responsible for their disappearance and suspected murder.  Federal Mexican authorities have an ongoing investigation and have identified at least one victim, whose body was found burnt and buried.  According to statements made by the Attorney General of Mexico and media reports, the investigation has led to over 70 arrests, including Mayor Abarca and his wife, Maria de los Angeles Pineda.  Please know that Mexican authorities are in communication with the U.S. State Department regarding the matter.  

I understand that as a result of these recent events, you have concerns about U.S. foreign aid provided to police programs in Mexico, including programs funded through the State Department's Merida Initiative.  You may be interested to know that the Merida Initiative funds programs that mitigate corruption and promote human rights within police departments.  During the past several years and in part through funding from the Merida Initiative, Mexico has invested over $10 billion in justice sector institutions to improve government transparency and legal protections for its citizens.

However, please know that I appreciate and agree with your view that foreign aid should be withheld from perpetrators of human rights abuses.  As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I supported the Consolidated and Further Appropriations Act, 2015" (H.R. 83), which was signed into law by the President on December 16, 2014.  This bill includes various provisions to address human rights in Mexico, including $148 million for international narcotics control and law enforcement and $7 million for foreign military financing.  Be assured that this funding is contingent upon the Mexican government demonstrating its compliance with and enforcement of human rights laws, including searching for victims of forced disappearances and investigating and prosecuting those responsible for such crimes. 

Please know that I have taken careful note of your concerns, and I will be mindful of your letter as the Senate considers funding for foreign aid programs in Mexico going forward.

Again, thank you for writing.  I hope you will continue to contact me regarding issues of importance to you.  Should you have any further questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact my Washington, D.C., office at (202) 224-3841.  Best regards.

Sincerely yours,


  Dianne Feinstein
         United States Senator
Further information about my position on issues of concern to California and the nation are available at my website, feinstein.senate.gov. And please visit my YouTube, Facebook and Twitter for more ways to communicate with me.