National / International: Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of the United Nations presents report on Mexico in Geneva, Switzerland

@CDH Tlachinollan

On September 19, at the 39th session of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations (UN), the special rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples of the United Nations, Victoria Tauli-Corpuz presented in Geneva, Switzerland, the Report on her visit to Mexico from November 8 to 17, 2017. It should be remembered thats he visited the states of Guerrero, Chihuahua and Chiapas in the framework of that visit.

The Tlachinollan Human Rights Center participated in the presentation of this Report and underlined in a bulletin that one of the cases taken up in the same is the historical struggle of the Council of Ejidos and Communities Opposed to the La Parota Dam (CECOP). The Rapporteur refers in her report that despite the fact that the community members have expressed their refusal “the state and federal governments maintain their intention to carry it out, even though it would cause displacement and impacts to lands and traditional natural resources of the affected indigenous communities.”

In general, the report warns that the fight against megaprojects, as well as the defense of territories and natural resources have increased the risk of violence and criminalization, which has led several indigenous leaders to be imprisoned “despite judicial sentences that have ordered the suspension of projects or protection measures granted by international organizations “. It states that the preservation and protection of lands, territories and natural resources of indigenous peoples should be a priority issue that requires proper regulation, in accordance with international law.

This topic was resumed the following day in an event entitled “Defending the territory in Mexico” convened by the Tlachinollan Human Rights Center together with the international organizations International Peace Brigades (PBI), the German Coordination for Human Rights in Mexico, the World Organization Against Torture and the National Network of Civil Organizations for Human Rights All Rights for All (RED TDT), an event in which the Rapporteur was also present. “The leaders and indigenous communities who oppose the projects are killed, forcibly displaced, threatened and intimidated and subjected to insidious harassment in the form of criminal accusations that are often imprecise, highly exaggerated or fictitious”, the rapporteur warned.

For more information (in Spanish) :

Relatora de la ONU denuncia uso del sistema penal contra opositores a megaproyectos en México (Animal Político, 21 de septiembre de 2018)

Violan derechos indígenas megaproyectos en el estado, señala relatora de la ONU (El Sur, 20 de septiembre de 2018)

COMUNICADO | Participa Tlachinollan en la presentación del Informe de la Relatora Especial sobre Pueblos Indígenas  Victoria Tauli-Corpuz sobre su visita a México ante Consejo de DH de la ONU (Tlachinollan, 19 de septiembre de 2018)

Tlachinollan atestigua en Ginebra Informe sobre Pueblos Indígenas de la ONU (MVS Noticias, 19 de septiembre)

Los pueblos indígenas de Guerrero en el informe de la relatora (CDH Tlachinollan, 9 de agosto de 2018)

For more information from SIPAZ:

National/International: UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Publishes Report after Visit to Mexico August 21, 2018

National/International: Visit of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to Mexico Ends November 23, 2017

National–Mexico: Visit of UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples November 12, 2017

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Chiapas: Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas Human Rights Center denounces extrajudicial execution of a person from Chiapas in Tabasco

Carlos HUmberto Mendoza de los Santos (@CDHFBC)

In a press conference held in Villahermosa, Tabasco, the Fray Bartolome de Las Casas Human Rights Center (CDHFBC) reported that it documented the “extrajudicial execution” of Carlos Humberto Mendoza de los Santos, originally from Palenque, by soldiers, in an event that occurred on May 16 in Macuspana, Tabasco.

The CDHFBC said that “soldiers commanded by commander Armando Garcia Triana, arbitrarily shot the unarmed civilian Carlos Humberto, who was later criminalized and stigmatized, saying he was a “hit man””.

It indicated as “direct responsible for the extrajudicial execution 22 members of the 18th Motorized Cavalry Regiment, belonging to the detachment of the Mexican Army, located in the Ejido Medellín, municipality of Catazajá, Chiapas, of 38 Military Zone 1, with headquarters in Tenosique, Tabasco”.

It explained that Carlos Humberto was 32 years old, the father of two girls; and, together with his family, he belonged to the organization Autonomous Peoples in Defense of Uses and Customs (PADUC), made up of Ch’ol, Tzeltal and mestizo communities dedicated to the defense of their territory.

Lidia Jiménez Antonio, wife of Mendoza de los Santos, demanded that the Attorney General’s Office (PGR) punish the responsible soldiers, and that the Ministry of National Defense (Sedena), “repair the damage caused to her family” , because the army “said they had murdered a hit man”. She highlighted: “My husband was not a hit man; He was a carpenter. “

The CDHFBC for its part reported that there have been “acts of harassment, intimidation and surveillance against the family of Carlos Humberto, who fear for their life, integrity and personal safety.” In addition, it expressed its “concern because, four months after the extrajudicial execution of Carlos Humberto, the PGR does not have substantive advances to point out so as to punish those responsible.” It also exhorted “to ensure due diligence in the investigation with sufficient and necessary actions to prevent this extrajudicial execution whose responsibility is of the Mexican Army, to remain unpunished.”

For more information (in Spanish):

Ejército mexicano responsable de ejecución extrajudicial en Macuspana, Tabasco (CDHFBC, 17 de septiembre de 2018)

Denuncia Frayba “ejecución” cometida por militares en Chiapas (La Jornada, 18 de septiembre de 2018)

Exigen justicia para civil ejecutado (Cuarto Poder, 19 de septiembre de 2018)

Soldados ejecutan a Carlos, la bala entró por su nariz y le destrozó el cerebro; “mi esposo era carpintero, nunca tuvo un arma en sus manos, salió negativo a plomo pese a ser acusado de disparar primero” (Revolución 3.0, 18 de septiembre de 2018)

For more information from SIPAZ:

Chiapas: Military Spying and Harassment of Indigenous Communities in Palenque, Ocosingo, Chilon and La Libertad Reported April 10, 2018

Oaxaca: SEMARNAT denies consent of environmental impact to hydroelectric dam project in San Felipe Usila, Chinanteca zone

Chinantla de Oaxaca (@NVI Noticias)

In mid-September, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) denied the consent of environmental impact to the South American transnational company Generación Enersi, SA de CV to install a hydroelectric dam in San Felipe Usila, in the Chinanteca area of ​​the state of Oaxaca. This was reported by Rutilo Lorenzo Felipe, municipal president of San Felipe Usila. The communities in the area had asked him to act to prevent the implementation of this project that they are opposed to from the beginning. For this reason, the city council had offered to SEMARNAT proofs of the damages that a project of this nature could have, both for the flora and fauna of the area.

It should be remembered that in 2014 there was a first attempt by the same company to build a dam on the Perfume River. The new project “contemplated occupying the water of the four rivers of San Felipe Usila, constructing a tunnel that will channel the water, installing a turbine that would generate 121 gigawatts”, according to information published by Noticias Voz e Imagen. It would imply an initial investment of 350 million pesos.

The arguments presented by the municipality were validated by Semarnat, which determined to suspend the continuity of the project, at least in its current format.

For more information (In Spanish) :

Dan revés a hidroeléctrica en la Chinantla de Oaxaca (NVI Noticias, 14 de septiembre de 2018)

Semarnat niega permiso a proyecto hidroeléctrico en Usila (El Imparcial, 17 de septiembre de 2018)

Chinantecos contra hidroeléctrica en San Felipe Usila, Oaxaca (NVI Noticias, 11 de marzo de 2018)

For more information from SIPAZ:

Chiapas: Hydroelectric Dam Canceled in the Lacandon Jungle September 16, 2018

National/International: UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Publishes Report after Visit to Mexico August 21, 2018

Oaxaca: CODEDI Denounces Military Harassment and Persecution August 13, 2018

Guerrero: 50 arrest warrants against members of CECOP

@Regeneración

Weeks after the release of members of the Council of Ejidos and Communities Opposed to the La Parota dam (Cecop), the Regional Coordinator of Community Authorities – Community Police (CRAC-PC), and civilians of several villages belonging to the Communal Lands of Cacahuatepec, municipality of Acapulco, a new persecution and unprecedented criminalization has been unleashed against members of the movement, reported the Tlachinollan Mountain Human Rights Center.

According to several newspapers, ministerial police maintained checkpoints at the entrances of the communal lands of Cacahuatepec such as Las Chanecas, San Pedro Cacahuatepec, Las Palmitas, Tasajeras, San Isidro Gallinero and La Concepción ; and with list in hand illegally review all the peasants that come or go. They also reported that more than 80 policemen travel through the villages of San Isidro Gallinero, Parotillas, La Concepcion, Aguas Calientes, Oaxaquillas, Salsipuedes and Amatillo.

Two weeks ago, “ministerial police illegally searched the home of Clemente Cabrera Benítez, a prominent member of CECOP in the community of Tasajeras, and took him away. On September 4, Tomás Cruz Valeriano from the community of Ilamos was arrested in San Isidro Gallinero, both of whom have an arrest warrant for the crime of damages and dispossession resulting from unfounded accusations and fabricated evidence. The Office of the Prosecutor has released more than 50 arrest warrants against the same number of CECOP members, whose crime has been to defend their lands and natural assets such as the Papagayo River, which is irrationally exploited by gravial businessmen. “

On December 12, a delegation of community members from Cecop, CRAC, from the Council of Affected Communities of La Montaña (Ccdm), from the Popular Front of Tlapa (FPT), from the Front of Communities for the Defense of Collective Rights in La Montaña (Frecoddec) and the Tlachinollan Human Rights Center for went to the State Congress where they met with a commission of deputies from Morena. According to La Jornada de Guerrero, they listed several points for urgent resolution, among them the establishment of mechanisms for the prompt release of political prisoners, the immediate expulsion of state forces from the Communal Lands and the cessation of intimidation and harassment of civil organizations.

According to Cuadratin, they also presented a proposal for an initiative to reform the Political Constitution of Guerrero, from articles 8 to 14, regarding indigenous and Afro-Mexican populations so as to guarantee their right to decide and exercise their forms of social, economic and political organization, as well as their own community justice system.

For more information (in Spanish):

Comunicado / Persecución política contra el CECOP (CDH Tlachinollan, 6 de septiembre de 2018)

Piden organizaciones la libertad de los presos del Cecop y alto al hostigamiento (Sur de Acapulco, 12 de septiembre de 2018)

Piden comunitarios que diputados exhorten al gobierno a no reprimirlos (La Jornada de Guerrero, 13 de septiembre de 2018)

Piden organizaciones reforma que garantice derechos de los pueblos (Cuadratin Guerrero, 12 de septiembre de 2018)

For more information from SIPAZ:

Guerrero: 9 of the 25 detainees for a confrontation in La Concepción in January are released September 17, 2018

Guerrero: Judge Orders Guarantees for Rights to Water, Health and Dignified Treatment for 25 CECOP Prisoners April 24, 2018

Guerrero: Extrajudicial Executions and Arrests of Community Police and Members of CECOP January 22, 2018

National / International: Mexico, migration filter?

@Conexión migrante

In mid-September, several rumors surfaced that the government of Enrique Peña Nieto would be considering signing a commitment with the United States under which Mexico would accept a deportation quota of undocumented non-Mexican immigrants, and a number of asylum seekers seeking refuge in U.S. This would be under the statutes of the bilateral cooperation of the Mérida Initiative signed with the government of President Felipe Calderón to combat drug trafficking and organized crime on a bilateral basis; and as part of the Zero Tolerance policy for undocumented immigration of the Donald Trump government. The New York Times detailed that the 20 million dollars allocated for this would cover the costs of the deportation from Mexico to the countries of origin of some 17,000 undocumented immigrants in order to prevent the flow of migrants in the southern border of the United States.

Days later, it was reported that due to pressure from the transition team of the president-elect, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the government of Enrique Peña Nieto rejected these 20 million dollars.

Given the rumors, civil organizations in favor of the rights of migrants and refugees, expressed their outright rejection of a plan of this nature and more broadly to bilateral negotiations between the United States and Mexico on a safe Third-Country Agreement in matters of asylum: “these measures represent a threat to the right of each person to seek asylum in the country that he/she considers to be safe, in addition to a renunciation by both governments of their international obligations to offer access to international protection for any person“. They pointed out that “Mexico is far from being a safe country for migrants and refugees, and forcing people to seek protection in Mexico would exceed the country’s asylum system, which is already weak. International and Mexican organizations have documented how migrants and refugees traveling through Mexico are frequent victims of crimes such as kidnapping, extortion, robbery and sexual violence, committed by criminal organizations, but also by Mexican migration agents and police. ” They recommended that “US assistance to Mexico should not be aimed at increasing arrests and deportations, and should not support immigration and security authorities that lack mechanisms to make their agents responsible for the abuses committed against migrants. In addition, the United States should not outsource the application of its immigration laws to Mexico. Instead, the United States should support the efforts of UNHCR and civil organizations in strengthening protection mechanisms in the region. “ They concluded that “both countries must comply with their international and moral obligations towards migrants and refugees, respecting due process, the family unity and the right to seek protection in the country migrants consider safe”.

For more information (in Spanish) :

Gobierno de Peña firmará convenio que convierte a México en filtro migratorio de EU (Proceso, 12 de septiembre de 2018)

Gobierno mexicano considera ofrecimiento de 20 millones de dólares de EU para ser filtro migratorio (El Economista, 13 de septiembre de 2018)

Por presión del equipo de AMLO, gobierno de Peña rechaza 20 mdd de EU para filtro migratorio (Proceso, 13 de septiembre de 2018)

Rechaza gobierno de Peña 20 mdd de EU para filtro migratorio (El Sur, 13 de septiembre de 2018)

Organizaciones rechazan que México sea una herramienta de deportación de EU (Conexión Migrante, 14 de septiembre de 2018)

For more information from SIPAZ:

National/International: OSC Asks for Suspension of Agreement with US to Convert Mexico into “Migration Filter” in Return for Favors in Renegotiation of NAFTA June 25, 2018

National: 84 Organizations and Collectives Oppose Gendarmerie at Southern Border April 30, 2018

Mexico – National/International: Latest Amnesty International Report on the Deadly Return of Central American Asylum Seekers from Mexico February 15, 2018

National/International: “Caravan of Mothers of Missing Migrants” Arrives to Mexico December 27, 2017

National / International: UN-DH denounces that 10 Human Rights Defenders have been murdered in Mexico until now in 2018

In a statement published on September 13, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN-DH) in Mexico reported that 10 human rights defenders have been killed in the country so far this year, a figure that already exceeds the total number of cases registered last year.

Specifically, it condemned the case number 10: the murder, on September 8, of Margarito Díaz González, leader of the Wixárika community of Nayarit. The UN-DH highlighted that six of the 10 victims identified were indigenous and warned that the whereabouts of activist Sergio Rivera Hernández, who disappeared in Puebla on August 23, remain unknown to this day.

” So far in 2018 we have already recorded more murders of human rights defenders than in the whole 2017. Human rights defenders in Mexico live in a critical situation, and as Michel Forst, UN special rapporteur on HR defenders, pointed out, it is urgent to stop and reverse the trend, because Mexico could be the most dangerous place in the world for them”, it said.

A few days earlier, in her first public intervention as the new UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet deplored that “in Mexico, eight human rights defenders were murdered in the first eight months of 2018. (…) many more have been victims of criminalization, abusive demands, smear campaigns, surveillance, death threats and attacks. Last year was also the deadliest year for journalists in Mexico, with at least 12 murders in 2017”.

For more information (in Spanish) :

Aumentan asesinatos de defensores de los derechos humanos en México: ONU (La Jornada, 14 de septiembre de 2018)

Suman 10 defensores asesinados: ONU-DH (El Economista, 14 de septiembre de 2018)

Condena ONU-Dh asesinato del defensor indígena Margarito díaz González (El Universal, 13 de septiembre de 2018)

Al inaugurar sesión de la ONU-DH, Bachelet deplora asesinatos de defensores y periodistas en México (Proceso, 10 de septiembre de 2018)

For more information from SIPAZ:

National: UN-DH urges Mexico to guarantee resources for the protection of journalists and human rights defenders September 17, 2018

National: UNO Special Rapporteur Visits Mexico to Evaluate Human Rights Situation February 5, 2017

National: 245 NGO publicly present the “Joint Report for the Third Universal Periodic Review of Mexico”

#COlectivoEPUmx

On September 12, at a press conference, members of 245 civil society organizations, integrated in #ColectivoEPUmx, presented the “Joint Report for the Third Universal Periodic Review of Mexico”, a mechanism that the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) established to monitor progress and challenges that the countries that make it up may have.

In this context, the defenders urged López Obrador to instruct his next chancellor, Marcelo Ebrard Casaubón, to attend the audience in which the member states of the Human Rights Council will analyze the human rights situation in Mexico on November 7, in Geneva, Switzerland.

Zué Valenzuela, legal coordinator of the Network of Civil Organizations of Human Rights All Rights for All (TDT Network) expressed that there is a “preoccupation” that “the observations of the [International] organisms might be considered as issues that correspond to the administration of Enrique Peña Nieto and not issues to be assumed as a State responsibility“, since “until now, there is no clear pronouncement by Ebrard Casaubón about international obligations nor is there a rapprochement with civil society organizations to talk about it”. He stressed that the recommendations resulting from the UPR “will be made known in the first days of December, when the next government has assumed its mandate.”

Fernando Ríos Martínez, executive secretary of the TDT Network, warned that given the “budgetary restriction that the government of López Obrador intends to impose, there might not be enough budget for” human rights policies that have worked fairly well”, such as the Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists, upon which at the moment the security of 702 people depends.

The defenders also underlined that in the two previous reports of the UPR (2009 and 2013), the States that have participated have made 267 recommendations to Mexico. The majority of them have not been complied with, which is why they consider that the Mexican State has unfulfilled its obligations.

They stressed that the situation of violence and violation of human rights in the country remains “critical” and suggested some recommendations that could help reverse it: “an integral system of citizen security, an adequate model of attention to victims, an autonomous prosecutor’s office, effective attention to the victims, the abrogation of the internal security law and a follow-up mechanism to international recommendations as a minimum to demonstrate real commitment to solve the serious structural human rights violations “.

For more information (in Spanish):

Informe completo « Tercer Examen Periódico Universal de México por organizaciones de la sociedad civil mexicanas » (OSC, agosto de 2018)

ONG emplazan a López Obrador a aceptar las recomendaciones en derechos humanos (Proceso, 12 de septiembre de 2018)

Piden apertura a Ebrard en tema de DDHH (El Sur, 12 de septiembre de 2018)

México vive una triple crisis de violencia, corrupción e impunidad, al incumplir con recomendaciones emitidas en administraciones de Calderón y Peña Nieto: Informe (Revolución 3,0, 12 de septiembre de 2018)

México reprobó examen de la ONU en derechos humanos: ONG (La Jornada, 13 de septiembre de 2018)

Piden ONG’s a AMLO que acepte las recomendaciones en tema de derechos humanos (MX.Politico, 13 de septiembre de 2018)