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This edition of our bimonthly Newsletter by EDUCA Oaxaca A.C. contains four articles on four different women in the states of Oaxaca, Guerrero and Veracruz in southern and southwestern Mexico. The articles range from reports of threats against human rights defenders to International protection policies for women human rights defenders, and the promotion of gender equality through art and music.…

Claudia Medina Tamariz, who survived 36 hours of physical, psychological and sexual torture in her home in Veracruz, Mexico, by members of the Mexican Marine (SEMAR), and has been released on bail, remains on trial for allegations of illegal firearms possession. Bearing in mind that the sole source of evidence for the indictment came from SEMAR itself, Claudia Medina was…

On 21 January, Elías Cruz Merino, leader of the Movement for Triqui Unification and Struggle (MULT) and official of San Juan Copala, was arrested as one of the presumed murderers of the human-rights defenders Bety Cariño y Jyri Jaakkola (Finnish). Both were killed in April 2010 as they participated in a humanitarian caravan headed to San Juan Copala. Cruz Merino is accused of…

On January 28th, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) released a report on the precautionary measures that have been requested for indigenous community police (or CRAC) leader Nestora Salgado, who currently requires medical attention while being deprived of her liberty at a maximum security prison in Nayarit, Mexico. She was arrested by police and military units on August 21st, 2013,…

New threats have been made against Silvia Pérez Yescas, an Indigenous human rights defender from the community of Matías Romero in Oaxaca, south-western Mexico. So far the protection measures granted to her by the authorities have been insufficient. Her life and safety remain at risk. On 13 January Silvia Pérez learned that members of her organization, Indigenous Women for the…

Mare Advertencia Lirika is a Zapotec Hip Hop artist from Oaxaca, Mexico whose music speaks out for the rights of indigenous women. Now 27, Lírikan began rapping at age 16, using her lyrics to challenge sexism in her own community and call out the Mexican state for its abysmal treatment of indigenous communities.  In this Animal Politico interview, the self-identified feminist shares that “Rap…

Indigenous leaders and other members of their community have been intimidated and harassed in reprisal for opposing the construction of a new wind farm in the Tehuantepec Isthmus in southern Mexico. There is fear they will face further threats. Members of the Popular Assembly for the Community of Juchiteco (Asamblea Popular del Pueblo Juchiteco, APPJ), an organization of Indigenous peoples…