In Mexico, the situation of indigenous rights defenders is alarming, as pointed out by Mary Lawlor, the UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders. Lawlor issued a statement this Friday highlighting serious threats to the integrity and freedom of these activists, who face arbitrary detention and severe penalties. The rapporteur emphasized that ten defenders have been convicted in judicial processes that present serious violations of due process.
The UN official expressed concern about the criminalization of these activists for carrying out peaceful activities in defense of their communities. According to her, these legal actions not only seek to unjustly punish the defenders, but also to discourage their efforts in support of human rights. Some of these activists have been accused of serious crimes, such as murders, despite not being present at the crime scenes. Collectively, the sentences of nine of these defenders amount to around 300 years in prison. An emblematic case is that of Pablo López Alavez, a Zapotec leader who has been imprisoned for 14 years without a sentence, labeled as arbitrarily detained by a UN working group since 2017.
Lawlor highlighted a concerning pattern of misuse of criminal law against indigenous leaders, placing them in a vulnerable position that limits their ability to defend their communities, especially in the context of development, exploitation of natural resources, and organized crime. The rapporteur also warned about the negative repercussions that these actions have not only on the incarcerated individuals, but also on their communities.
A glimmer of hope appeared with the recent overturning of the conviction of David Hernández Salazar, one of the affected activists. Lawlor categorized this event as a positive step that suggests the possible dismissal of the other accusations. She urged Mexican authorities to reassess the sentences and drop the charges against defenders like López Alavez, advocating for their immediate release. This appeal is part of her efforts to ensure a safer environment for human rights defenders in Mexico.
Source: MiMub in Spanish