In an 8-part thread that can be found here on social media, the Space of Civil Society Organizations for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists (Espacio OSC) shares this update on the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR/CIDH) 197 Period of Sessions in Panama City:
“The hearing on access to justice for human rights defenders in #Mexico has begun during the 197th Period of Sessions of the IACHR. Civil society organizations, the Mexican State, the IACHR, and a UN Special Rapporteur are discussing the obstacles to investigating attacks and combating impunity.
Saulo Loya, from @Tlachinollan [Tlachinollan Mountain Human Rights Centre], introduces a delegation of human rights defenders from various regions of #Mexico who have brought their experiences and proposals to the @IACHR to strengthen comprehensive protection and access to justice in #Mexico.
Marcela de Jesús, a journalist and human rights defender, highlights the lack of investigations that incorporate a gender perspective, as well as intersectional, territorial, and community-based approaches. Barriers to accessing justice are further compounded for those who face discrimination and exclusion.
Sibely Cañedo from @IniSinaloa [Sinaloa Initiative] points to obstacles in accessing case files, submitting evidence, and staying informed about the progress of investigations. The fear of retaliation and the exposure of personal data also limit the participation of victims.
In his remarks, Rubén Moreno from @CdhFrayba [the Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas Human Rights Centre] called for the creation of an implementation plan for the Protocol, a national registry of crimes against human rights defenders, the establishment of a specialized prosecutor’s office, and technical assistance from the @IACHR.
Representatives of the Mexican State acknowledge the challenges involved in investigating crimes against human rights defenders and dismantling the structures responsible for them. They emphasize the importance of international cooperation in addressing these issues.
UN Special Rapporteur [on the situation of human rights defenders] @AndreaBV_SR_HRD [Andrea Bolaños Vargas] noted that public communications addressed to the Mexican State reveal the persistence of violence against human rights defenders. She highlighted the approval of the Protocol and called for its implementation through collaborative efforts.
The @IACHR expresses concern regarding the violence faced by human rights defenders, as well as the ineffectiveness of existing protection and investigative mechanisms. The Commission also laments the murder of Reynado Pérez, which took place yesterday in #Chiapas, despite the fact that he was under protection measures.”
Photo: Reynaldo Perez.
The video of the interventions can be seen here.
We continue to follow this.
Additional reading: IACHR/CIDH is told about threats and violence against environmental defenders linked to Canadian mining across Latin America (PBI-Canada, October 28, 2026).
