Mexico City, - The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), has condemned the attack on woman human rights defender Norma Andrade and urged the Mexican government to provide protective measures for her and her family, a week after her shooting by unknown assailants in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua.
The leader of the organization Our Daughters Return Home [Nuestras Hijas de Regreso a Casa] was attacked on December 2 as she made her way home. According to information received by the Commission, the same morning she had been followed by unknown persons who presented themselves at her workplace and requested personal information. Norma Andrade remains hospitalized in a serious condition.
In a communique published on December 9, the IACHR urged the Mexican government to protect Norma Andrade and her family, as well as to investigate the crime, prosecute and punish those responsible for the attack. The international organism also extended its call for the protection of all human rights defenders working for justice in cases of murdered women in Chihuahua, as well as all the defenders of the country.
Concerns over increased attacks on activists and HRDs
Today December 10, International Day of Human Rights, marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the General Assembly in 1948. However, Mexico appears to find itself in one of its most difficult moments in terms of guarantees for the defense of these rights.
Mexican civil society organizations have signalled increased attacks on activists and defenders registered in recent weeks. Among them, two leaders from the Ostula community in the state of Michoacan, Pedro Leyva and Trinidad Crisóforo Cruz, who were murdered on 7 October and 7 December respectively. Both had precautionary measures from the Commission due to the level of violence in the community since 2009. The body of Trinidad de la Cruz, a member of the Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity [Movimiento por la Paz con Justicia y Dignidad, MPJD], was found a day after armed civilians deprived him of his freedom
The MPJD also reported the disappearances of Eva Alarcón and Marcial Bautista, from the Organization of Campesino Ecologists of the Sierra de Petatlan and Coyuca de Catalan [Organización de Campesinos Ecologistas de la Sierra de Petatlán y de Coyuca de Catalán, OCESP], on December 6 while riding a bus from Petatlan to Chilpancingo, Guerrero.
The Mexico Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has mentioned these events and strongly condemned the assassination of Trinidad de la Cruz, as well as the attacks against MPJD.
More information
IACHR condemns attack against human rights defender in Mexico, Press Release No. 127/11, Inter-american Commission on Human Rights, December 9, 2011
The Comission calls for protection of HRD Norma Andrade after being attacked in Juarez [La CNDH pide protección para la defensora Norma Andrade tras ser atacada en Juárez], Mexico PBI News, December 4, 2011
HR UN strongly condemns the murder of Trinidad de la Cruz and aggressions against MPJD [ONU-DH condena enérgicamente el asesinato de Trinidad de la Cruz y las agresiones contra el MPJD], Press Release, December 8, 2011
Editorial: Hunting activists? [¿Cacería de activistas?] Newspaper La Jornada, December 8, 2011
Today, three defenders more [Hoy, tres defensores más], Centro PRODH, December 8, 2011
Second member of the Movement for Peace murdered [Segundo integrante del Movimiento por la Paz asesinado], PBI Mexico News, November 30, 2011
Murdered officer of the Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity in Michoacan [Asesinan a delegado del Movimiento por la Paz con Justicia y Dignidad en Michoacán], Statement, Jalisco Association for Indigenous Groups Support (AJAGI), National Association of Democratic Lawyers (ANAD), National Network of Civil Human Rights Organizations "All Rights for All”, "Movement for Peace with Justice and Dignity, October 7, 2011