On 18 September, agents of the National Institute on Migration (INM) and the Mexican Army physically and verbally assaulted members and human-rights defenders associated with the “Brothers on the Path” migrant home in Ixtepec, as the latter were carrying out their work in the Chivela community, located in the northern zone of the Tehuantepec Isthmus. The attacks took place as the workers were traveling in the train that leaves Ixtepec for Medias Aguas, Veracruz. In response to the attacks, the workers submitted a penal denunciation before the Ixtepec Prosecutorial Office on Migrants against the INM and also submitted complaints to the National Commission on Human Rights (CNDH). They indicated that while they were documenting attacks against migrant persons, they observed the presence of three INM vehicles and three Army convoys.
It should be noted that, following the federal government’s implementation of the Southern Border Plan (PFS) two months ago, 57 persons have been victims of grave crimes, such as robbery, extortion, rape, and assault, according to the findings of the “Brothers on the Path” migrant home. Attacks on migrants have increased 90% during this period.
For more information (in Spanish):
Comunicado del Albergue Hermanos en el Camino (19 de septiembre de 2014)
INM y Ejército agreden a defensores de migrantes; les decomisan material documentado (Centro ProDH, 21 de septiembre de 2014)
Agrede INM a defensores de Derechos Humanos (Noticias Net, 21 de septiembre de 2014)
Testimonio narra agresiones de agentes del INM a activistas en Oaxaca(Animal Político, 21 de septiembre de 2014)
El Plan Frontera Sur: violencia institucionalizada (Más de 131, 21 de septiembre de 2014)
For more information from SIPAZ (in English):
National/Chiapas: Massive raids against migrants and attack on human-rights defenders (3 May 2014)
National: “La 72″ migrant home denounces kidnapping, robbery, and threats against migrants by INM (30 March 2014)
National: Migrant pilgrimage arrives in Mexico City (2 May 2014)
National: Collaborators of the “72″ migrant home abandon work due to threats (24 June 2013)
Chiapas: March from Suchiate river to denounce abuses against migrants, and beginning of hunger strike (29 April 2013)
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