MPs urgent appeal over woman missing in Mexico whose sister lives in Sheffield

Olivia Blake, Paul Blomfield, Clive Betts, Louise Haigh, Miriam Cates and Gill Furniss have written to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab for assistance in the search for Claudia Uruchurtu.

Claudia went missing two weeks ago in the town of Nochixtlan, Mexico. She had attended a rally outside the local council, where people had gathered to protest a local resident being beaten up, allegedly by security forces linked to the municipal president.

Claudia left the rally but never returned home and witnesses said she was grabbed and pushed into a car.

Her family have logged Claudia’s disappearance with a national registry and have filed a complaint with a Human Rights Commission.

Relatives and acquaintances have travelled to surrounding villages to Nochixtlan to try to find her in hospitals or police stations.

Claudia’s sister, Dr Elizabeth Uruchurtu, lives in the Sheffield Hallam constituency and has dual British-Mexican citizenship.

She said: “Almost two weeks ago, our family got the terrible news of my sister’s disappearance.

“She is a loving and caring individual who works actively for citizen’s groups. It’s our fear that her criticisms of local government and her highlighting abuse of power by public servants, is behind her disappearance.

“We are determined, with the support of our MPs to ensure that her case remains of public concern.

“Raising awareness will help us find the truth and ensure that justice is done. If tragedies like this are left unnoticed, our vital freedoms and rights will continue to be eroded.”

The MPs want the Foreign Secretary to contact his counterparts in Mexico to ensure due attention is given to Claudia’s situation.

Hallam MP Olivia Blake, who coordinated the letter, said: “We are all deeply concerned about the whereabouts of Claudia.

“I met with the family and have been in touch with Amnesty International. I hope the Foreign Secretary will raise the alarm internationally and do all he can to aid the Uruchurtu family in ensuring Claudia is found.”

The family has set up a crowdfunder to help pay for legal costs.

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