Jalisco Missing Reports Geolocation
This project, based on the working paper "Mapping the Humanitarian Crisis of Forced Disappearances in Jalisco: Patterns, Technology, and Collective Action" by Angel Javier Ramirez Abundis, explores forced disappearances in Jalisco and the role of technology in addressing the crisis.
Guadalajara, the cultural and economic capital of Jalisco, faces one of the country’s most severe human rights crises. Between 2018 and 2024, Jalisco reported 15,348 missing persons, averaging 6.7 disappearances per day. The crisis is exacerbated by underreporting and data manipulation, further obscuring its true magnitude.
In response, this project utilizes computational social sciences and statistical analysis to identify patterns, map disappearances, and provide actionable insights for activists, researchers, and policymakers.
How It Works
The interactive map retrieves data from public records and APIs, categorizing disappearances by factors such as date, location, and demographic attributes. This enables real-time visualization of the crisis.
Key Findings
- Temporal Patterns: Disappearances tend to spike during certain time periods, suggesting targeted actions.
- Geospatial Clusters: Certain urban zones, such as Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, show high disappearance densities.
- Demographic Disparities: Data suggests a disproportionately high number of male disappearances, raising questions about social dynamics and systemic factors.
- Forensic Challenges: A lack of proper coordination between institutions delays the identification of remains and proper data handling.
- Community and Activism: Citizen-led initiatives have been crucial in documenting disappearances and pressuring for governmental transparency.
Why This Matters
The humanitarian crisis of forced disappearances in Jalisco extends beyond numbers. Behind every case is a family searching for answers, justice, and closure. Open-data approaches and computational methods provide a pathway toward greater transparency and efficiency in tracking and preventing disappearances.
Engage & Contribute
We invite researchers, human rights activists, and the public to explore the data and share insights. Your perspective can help refine methodologies and improve understanding of the crisis. Join the discussion and contribute to solutions.
Explore the Map