Alejandro Cerezo Contreras (right) with Xavier Zavala, regional representative of Protection International
On March 15 2011, Protection International announced the opening of Protection Desk Mexico, an office which will provide technical assistance in the development of security measures for human rights defenders. Amnesty International has defined Mexico as a dangerous country in which to defend human rights.
Alejandro Cerezo Contreras, Coordinator of Protection Desk Mexico, said that the opening of the project was necessary given the risks which exist for those who defend human rights in Mexico. He explained that the new office seeks “to prevent possible attacks against activists”, providing them with advice, workshops and material. The organisation will also put in practise a database on the protection of human rights defenders and will seek to work in coordination with other organisations, as well as carrying our advocacy strategies with diplomatic representatives from the European Union, the USA and Canada, as well as international organisations, in order to involve them in the protection of human rights defenders.
Alejandro is also the Director of the organisation Urgent Action for Human Rights defenders (ACUDDEH), which provides security advice for at-risk human rights defenders and which works closely with Protection International. ACUDDEH was formed in 2010 by the Cerezo Committee Mexico.
PBI has accompanied members of the Committee since 2002 and wishes every success to Alejandro, and to the Cerezo Committee, in their new projects.
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