The Civil Society Space of Organizations for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists (Espacio OSC) has posted on social media:
“As part of the effort to strengthen the @Mecanismo_MX [Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists], we at #EspacioOSC met with staff from @SEGOB_mx [Secretariat of the Interior] to share concerns about its operation and the care provided to defenders and journalists at risk.
Some of the concerns expressed about the @Mecanismo_MX were: • Bureaucratization of incorporation • More rejections and case closures • Withdrawal of measures • Attacks and murders against beneficiaries • Increase in legal actions • Lack of staff.
The @Mecanismo_MX committed to speeding up incorporations, strengthening monitoring, and providing more information to people at risk.
The #EspacioOSC reiterated its support for the 2026 Work Plan, greater communication with defenders and journalists, and strengthening prevention actions.”
Quick facts
Mexico first created a Protection Mechanism for journalists in Autumn 2010. Two years later, the Law for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists was passed in June 2012. That law obliges both federal and state authorities to protect the rights of journalists and human rights defenders.
– As of July 2023, the National Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists in Mexico supported 2,130 individuals.
– As of November 2023, there were 651 journalists enrolled in the Mechanism: 469 men and 182 women.
– In 2024, the approved budget for the Protection Mechanism was more than 599 million pesos (about CAD $45 million), which the Mexican state presented as an indication of its commitment to protection.
“Notable deficiencies and concerning failures”
At least 222 land and environmental defenders have been killed in Mexico between 2012 (the year the Mechanism was enacted) and 2024.
In March 2020, Peace Brigades International (PBI) commented: “The Mechanism continues to demonstrate notable deficiencies and concerning failures.”
The year before that, PBI also highlighted: “The Mechanism can’t possibly address its shortcomings with its current budget and staffing levels. Providing additional funding would be the first step the Mexican government can take to ensure the Mechanism has the resources necessary to manage its rapidly growing caseload.”
Mexican official reports have highlighted a 138% budget increase for the Mechanism between 2018 and 2023.
In their submission to the Universal Periodic Review of Mexico in July 2023, Human Rights Watch noted: “The federal Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists continues to lack sufficient staff and funding and struggles to coordinate with state and local officials, leaving it sometimes unable to meet protection needs.”
“As of May 2022, eight journalists and two human rights defenders had been killed while receiving protection from the mechanism since its creation in 2012.”
They recommended that Mexico: “Ensure sufficient staff and funding for the federal protection mechanism for journalists and human rights defenders.”
Canada’s position
The Government of Canada appears to acknowledge this.
At the United Nations (UN) Universal Periodic Review (UPR) session held on January 24, 2024, Canada recommended that Mexico: “Strengthen, from an intersectional and gender perspective, the federal Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists, specifically in the areas of prevention, protection, investigation, and reparation.”
Discussions in Ottawa
Next week, Elizabeth Guadalupe Mosqueda Rivera and Héctor Hugo Arreola Galván from the Civil Society Space of Organizations for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists (Espacio OSC) will arrive in Ottawa for a wide-range of meetings with Members of Parliaments, officials and civil society to discuss this situation.
Accompaniment
Espacio OSC is a coordination platform of 18 civil society organizations from throughout Mexico. The Peace Brigades International-Mexico Project provides accompaniment and technical support to the platform.
