Radio Canada International reports on PBI-Canada and PBI-Mexico advocacy visit with Espacio OSC on Protection Mechanism
While Mexican human rights defenders Elizabeth Mosqueda and Hugo Arreola were in Canada on an advocacy visit this past September, they were interviewed by RCI journalist Paloma Martínez Méndez. Today, RCI published her feature article: Canada asked to strengthen protection for defenders and journalists.
Key excerpts from the article include:
– “Following Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Mexico in September, two representatives of Mexican civil society organizations traveled to Canada to call for new alliances between the two countries to ensure the safety of human rights and freedom of expression.”
– “Mark Carney’s visit to Mexico, in which the Canada-Mexico Action Plan was agreed, took place ahead of what is expected to be difficult negotiations with the United States on the trilateral trade agreement. In Canada, the small delegation of Espacio OSC, a network of Mexican civil organizations, warns that the protection of those who defend human rights and territory cannot be left out of these bilateral agreements.”
– “The objective of the Mexican delegates’ visit to Canada is linked to the recent economic and political context. In September, when Prime Minister Mark Carney was in Mexico explained that the Canada-Mexico Action Plan contemplates millionaire investments in strategic sectors such as mining, hydrocarbons, ports and railways. Brent Patterson, of Peace Brigades International – Canada (PBI-Canada), which coordinated the visit of Elizabeth Mosqueda and Hugo Arreola, pointed out that the main attacks on human rights defenders occur in these sectors and that the situation could worsen.”
-“During the tour, delegates met with parliamentarians, academics and human rights organizations in Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal, with the accompaniment of PBI-Canada, which has been providing observation and accompaniment to Mexican defenders for years. The meetings included representatives of the main Canadian parties, students and members of civil society, which for Hugo Arreola is of great importance.”
The full article can be read in Spanish at Piden a Canadá reforzar protección a personas defensoras y periodistas (November 5, 2025).
Photo: “Elizabeth Mosqueda Rivera and Hugo Arreola during their interview with RCI. Photo by Radio-Canada / Screenshot · Zoom · Paloma Martínez Méndez”
Espacio OSC tweet: “We share the report by @RadioCanadaInfo about our recent advocacy tour in #Canadá, where we called for strengthening cooperation between Mexico and Canada to protect human rights defenders and #journalists. #RightToDefend”.
Additional reading: Photo-journal of PBI-Mexico accompanied Espacio OSC advocacy tour in Canada on Protection Mechanism (September 26, 2025).
