Human Rights defenders

Human rights defenders continue to face attacks and harassment, throughout Mexico, particularly at the local level. Mexico is a dangerous place in which to defend human rights. The recent Amnesty International report highlighted more than 15 cases of threats and attacks against human rights defenders between 2007 and 2009. These cases include killings, wrongful arrest and imprisonment on spurious criminal charges, harassment and intimidation. The denial of economic, social and cultural rights in some sectors of Mexican society has spurred people to action.

Despite sometimes facing severe repression, human rights defenders working on economic, social and cultural rights in Mexico continue to stand up for justice, dignity and human rights. Often their demands are misunderstood as purely political demands and not as legitimate human rights claims.

Women defenders continue to suffer greatly. Despite some measures to combat violence against women, attacks and impunity remain common. Sexual and reproductive rights are at risk with creeping local constitutional reforms threatening to increase barriers to legal abortion services for victims of rape.

Impunity is still endemic in Mexico. Impunity is the failure to bring perpetrators of human rights violations to justice. It denies the victims their right to justice and redress. Impunity in cases of abuses against human rights defenders fosters a climate of intimidation, fear and insecurity

Journalists also face grave dangers operating in Mexico. They are constantly harassed and unable to carry out their necessary work of investigating these violations.

Amnesty International calls on the government to:

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