Once again, the trade unionist and social activist of the APPO [Popular Assembly of the Peoples of Oaxaca, in Spanish: Asamblea Popular de los Pueblos de Oaxaca], tortured in 2009, has been threatened with death. On 29 November, at 10:50 am he was hit in the downtown [Oaxaca de Juárez (Oaxaca)] by a young man on a motorcycle, who threatened him directly: "What's up?, son of your fucking mother, you have little time, you'll die" Then, he started at full speed.

This new threat can not be considered an isolated event. The increase in the harassment of the syndicalist has been a result of his support and participation in the defense of a group of 26 workers of the capital's city council, who were unfairly dismissed last October, when trying to organize a new trade union. On these facts there was a hunger strike that achieved their jobs back.

It is worth to recall that Marcelino Coache and his family have precautionary measures issued by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights since 2009, due to the attacks on him and his family. At this moment the primary requirement is to conduct the necessary investigations to find the origin of threats, assaults and torture and sanction those responsible for these events. This was highlighted at the last meeting on precautionary measures today.

More information

Comité de Defensa Integral de Derechos Humanos Gobixha (Codigo DH) website

PBI Mexico accompaniment to members of Codigo DH