Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, has concluded his visit to Mexico.
On April 20, the Peace Brigades International-Mexico Project posted on social media: “At the start of High Commissioner @volker_turk’s visit to Mexico, @PBI_Mexico accompanied the meeting he held with representatives of civil society organizations, where the importance of strengthening dialogue and coordination between the government and civil society organizations was expressed.”
Espacio OSC also posted on social media: “During @volker_turk’s visit from @UNHumanRights, we delivered this letter regarding violence against human rights #humanrights defenders and journalists, and we called for action to promote the recommendations issued by @ONUDHmexico [the Mexico Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Defense and promotion of the rights of all persons] to strengthen the @Mecanismo_MX [Protection Mechanism].”
Statement by Volker Türk
On April 22, at the end of his visit to Mexico, Türk stated:
“I conclude my visit to Mexico with this press conference. It has been a very fruitful visit that has allowed me to learn first-hand about both the achievements and the challenges facing the country in terms of human rights.
The challenge of violence against journalists and human rights defenders continues unabated. Women defenders and reporters face aggravated risks, especially when they challenge organized crime, corruption, or gender-based violence.
I had the opportunity to listen to several and diverse testimonies of defenders of indigenous peoples, environmental peoples, LGTBI+ people, or victims of the abuse of informal pretrial detention, among others, who have paid an unimaginable price for defending rights.
The Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists is a very relevant model and a benchmark in the region, particularly for its governance scheme that actively incorporates civil society. Ensuring timely access for those who require it and consolidating their prevention capacity will enhance their effectiveness.
I spoke with the Attorney General of the Republic [Ernestina Godoy Ramos] and we agreed that the capacity for investigation must be increased after any attack on defenders and journalists. I hope that the investigation protocol for crimes against human rights defenders, in the drafting of which my Office has participated, will be adopted and implemented as soon as possible.”
Canada-Mexico Human Rights Dialogue
PBI-Canada looks forward to providing input for the upcoming Canada-Mexico Dialogue on Human Rights and Multilateral Affairs expected to take place in late-May in Ottawa. The thematic issues to be discussed include freedom of expression, media freedom and rights in the digital space, the theme under which the Protection Mechanism is expected to be discussed by the two countries.
We are now planning a second webinar with PBI-Mexico and Espacio OSC in advance of the Canada-Mexico Dialogue on Human Rights and Multilateral Affairs.
