In June of 2012 Mexico passed the Law for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists, which called for the establishment of the Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists. The passing of the Law and the subsequent introduction of the Mechanism are actions that were warmly welcomed by Mexican civil society organizations and by WOLA. However, two years later, on the second anniversary of the Law’s passing, WOLA notes with increasing concern continued shortcomings in the implementation of the Mechanism’s protection measures.
In a letter sent to the Mexican Secretary of the Interior, Miguel Ángel Osorio Chong, WOLA indicates the various obstacles that stand in the way of the Mechanism’s full implementation—namely a shortage of personnel assigned to ensure the effective operation of the Mechanism; excessive delays in processing requests for protection; and the failure to establish the Unit on Prevention, Monitoring, and Analysis.
To address these problems, WOLA asked the Secretary to ensure that the Mechanism has the highest level of support from Mexican authorities. The full implementation of the Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists would demonstrate that President Enrique Peña Nieto and his government support the work of human rights defenders and journalists.
Please click here to read WOLA’s letter (only available in Spanish).
