Lawyers in some countries are subjected to threats to themselves or their families, are physically attacked and even forcibly "disappeared" simply for doing their jobs. In Colombia alone, up to 25 lawyers are killed each year.
The Luis Carlos Pérez Collective (CCALCP) is composed of women human rights defenders who have been accompanying victims of human rights violations in Santander and the North of Santander for nine years. They offer legal assessment, and also investigate and denounce cases of human rights violations in Colombia. This video shows the work that they have been doing with a peasant community that has been approached by companies interested in coal exploration and extraction.
David Valtierra Arango, Genaro Cruz Apóstol y Silverio Matías Domínguez, members of Radio Ñomndaa, a community project of the indigenous amuzgo group of Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, have been condemned to three years and two months in prison, as well as the payment of a fine of 1,753 Mexican Pesos.
PBI has followed the legitimate and respected community work of Radio Ñomndaa for several years, and has previously expressed its concern for the security of its members, who have often reported harassment and aggressions against them.
PBI Mexico's training will take place in may 2011. We are open to receive applications from now until end of January 2011. For more information click here.
The UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Gabriela Knaul, has released a press statement regarding her official visit to Mexico this October.
The United Nations, Amnesty International, Washington Office on Latin America, Human Rights Watch and other organisations have commented on the proposed reform of the military justice system, sent by President Felipe Calderón to the Mexican Congress on October 18, arguing that the proposal does not go far enough to ensure that all crimes committed against civilians by members of the Mexican armed forces be tried in civilian courts.
