Every year, on 9 December, we solemnly recognize the work of human rights defenders: women and men who, with courage and a deep sense of justice, protect dignity, life, land, equality, and collective memory. Their work sustains the fundamental right to defend human rights—a universal right—and is essential for building fairer, freer, and more supportive societies.
The importance of protecting their work
In Mexico, many human rights defenders continue to face severe risks: threats, harassment, criminalization, and even killings. Networks such as the Red TDT have documented dozens of attacks and systemic patterns of violence against defenders across different states and contexts.
In this context, the Espacio OSC has emphasized the need for comprehensive and effective public policies that provide real protection, with particular attention to women defenders—who often face gender-based violence—and to defenders of land, territory, Indigenous rights, environmental rights, and social, cultural, and labor rights.
Our commitment from PBI Mexico
At PBI Mexico, we firmly believe that accompanying, protecting, and amplifying the voices of human rights defenders is essential to keeping the right to defend rights alive. We stand in solidarity with those who risk their safety—and in many cases their lives—to uphold dignity, justice, memory, and collective wellbeing.
Today, on this International Human Rights Defenders Day, we reaffirm our commitment to accompany and highlight their work, and we recall that the situation in Mexico remains urgent. Risks, attacks, and structural challenges persist for those who defend life, land, truth, and justice.
Recognizing their work and keeping public attention on their situation is essential so that defending rights is no longer an exceptional act of bravery, but a protected, respected, and possible practice for all.