The Peace Brigades International-Mexico Project has posted on social media:
“Last May 28th we participated in the conversation ‘Voices in the street: the right to defend human rights and social protest in the context of the World soccer in Mexico’ organized by the Civil Society Organizations Space for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists (Espacio OSC).
Events such as the World Cup soccer and others of a mass nature are platforms for civil society to freely exercise its right to protest.”
In other panels in its Instagram post, PBI-Mexico also says:
“The right to defend human rights and engage in social protest in the context of the World Cup in Mexico.
Events such as the World Cup and other large-scale gatherings should serve as platforms for civil society to freely exercise its right to protest.”
Espacio OSC has further noted:
“In the conversation ‘Voices in the Street’, human rights organizations, journalists and public institutions warn about risks of criminalization, surveillance and excessive use of force during the 2026 World Cup in Mexico.
We also emphasize the need to strengthen inter-agency prevention, monitoring, documentation and coordination measures in the face of possible human rights violations.
The participants agree that the right to protest, freedom of expression and defence of human rights should be fully guaranteed during the World Cup.”
The World Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, will feature 13 matches in Mexico, split between Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara. The iconic Azteca Stadium in the capital will host the opening match.
It will also include matches that will be played in Toronto (June 12, 17 and 20) and Vancouver (June 14 and 18).
Journalist Joaquín López-Dóriga has reported: “In the midst of preparations for the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City, families of missing people are preparing protests to make visible a national crisis that they accuse of being ignored.”
EFE adds: “The mothers and fathers are preparing peaceful protests, which they announce they will do from the opening match at the Azteca Stadium on June 11. In addition, these relatives will deliver letters to different embassies, to warn about the security risks that, they say, could also affect tourists.”
We recall the plea from a mother who participated in the Mother’s Day march in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico: “Hopefully just as millions of people will gather to shout a goal, there will also be space to shout for those who are missing.”
PBI-Canada is following this closely.
