Press release
- Organizations defending human rights and freedom of expression and journalists urge the government to correct and make transparent the process that will constitute the first Consultative Council of the Mechanism for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists.
- These organizations reiterated their commitment to build an effective mechanism for the prevention and protection of human rights defenders and journalists as long as the necessary conditions to facilitate inclusive participation are guaranteed.
A large group of human rights and freedom of expression organizations and journalists which have participated for more than two years in the design and construction process of a protection mechanism decided to withdraw from the assembly to form the First Consultative Council of the Protection Mechanism of Human Rights Defenders and Journalists on 7th September, until such time as the process of electing members to the Council is amended and made transparent.
Moderation and coordination of this process was conducted by the National Commission on Human Rights (Comisión Nacional de Derechos Humanos, CNDH), an institution that did not act in accordance with the call of the assembly and that hampered and hindered the process of consultation and discussion. The CNDH also failed to ensure transparency during the Assembly, preventing the dossiers submitted by the organizations from being examined. These documents demonstrate their experience in the defense of human rights or freedom of expression, a prerequisite for participation in the assembly.
The Ministry of the Interior (Secretaría de Gobernación, Segob) presented a record of organizations supported by the delivery of documents required by the call without performing a filter of organizations based on the content of the documents they submitted. It must demonstrate that organizations applying to participate in the process have the expertise and verify that their work in defense of human rights and freedom of expression is legitimate. The lack of prior publication of profiles of qualified organizations in order to vote on the establishment of the First Council did not allow the creation of adequate conditions of trust necessary for the completion of the first assembly.
Besides transparency requirements the same criteria of the legislation should be applied to the call for organizations wishing to register for the elective assembly. Without undermining the important work of several registered organizations they do not meet the requirements.
Despite the protestations of organizations from the beginning of the assembly, the CNDH hindered dialogue between organizations and the participation of organizations from other states remotely. The the representative of the CNDH only controlled speaking order and did not facilitated consensus or agreements between the organizations attending.
The organizations defending human rights, freedom of expression and journalists believe that the establishment of the First Council requires scrupulous care of appropriate procedures and the participation of those organizations that meet the necessary requirements, given the role the Mechanism should play in the protection of life and physical integrity of human rights defenders and journalists.
In order to ensure the design of an efficient and legitimate Mechanism, Segob must ensure that the process adheres to the Protection Law provisions and the call published in the Official Journal of the Federation.
The undersigned organizations urge Segob to immediately convene the negotiation table that, according to the letter signed by Undersecretary Diener dated yesterday, they are willing to install, so that we may address the following points:
The revision of appropriate mechanisms that will guarantee the transparency of all registered organization's documents, guaranteeing that they meet the previously mentioned requirements.
Agree upon transparent procedures, subject to public scrutiny, which will allow for the renewal of the process of conformation of the Consultative Council of the Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists.
Acción Urgente para Defensores de los Derechos Humanos, A.C. (ACUDDEH)
Article 19
World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC)
Casa de los Derechos de Periodistas, A.C.
Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental (CEMDA)
'Tlachinollan' Human Rights Centre of the Montaña (Centro de Derechos Humanos de la Montaña 'Tlachinollan')
Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez Human Rights Center (Center Prodh)
Centro Jurídico para los Derechos Humanos
Centro Nacional de Comunicación Social (CENCOS)
Centro de Derechos Humanos Fray Francisco de Vitoria O.P., A.C.
Centro Diocesano para los Derechos Humanos “Fray Juan de Larios”
Centro de Derechos Humanos “Fray Matías de Córdova”
Centro de Derechos Humanos Toaltepeyolo
Mexican Commission for the Defense and Promotion of Human Rights (CMDPDH)
Comisión de Solidaridad y Defensa de los Derechos Humanos
Comité de Derechos Humanos de Comalcalco, A. C.
Centro de Derechos Humanos Victoria Diez, A.C.
Centro de Justicia para la Paz y el Desarrollo (CEPAD)
Comunicación e Información de la Mujer, A.C. (CIMAC)
Frontera con Justicia, A.C.
Iniciativas para la Identidad y la Inclusión, A.C. (INICIA)
Instituto Mexicano de Derechos Humanos y Democracia, A.C.
KOOKAY – Ciencia Social Alternativa, A.C.
Propuesta Cívica, A.C.
All Rights for All’ Network (Red ‘Todos los Derechos para Todas y Todos’, RDTDT) (formed by 71 organisations in 22 Mexican states)
Red Mesa de Mujeres de Ciudad Juárez
Servicios de Inclusión Integral, A.C.
Services and Advices for Peace (Servicios y Asesoria para la Paz, SERAPAZ)