The report “Todos sus Nombres, Todas sus Luchas” (All of their names, all of their struggles), released on October 28th by EDUCA, looks at the violence against defenders in the first 25 months of President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo’s term. The initiative, which is part of the campaign “Alas y Raíces de los Movimientos Sociales en Oaxaca” (Wings and Roots of Social Movements in Oaxaca), seeks to remember those who were murdered or disappeared in the performance of their work, while highlighting the causes for which they gave their lives.
The report registered 70 assassinations and seven forced disappearances, of which four activists were found alive. The highest levels of violence can be observed in the defense of land and territory, as well as in the fight for truth and justice. 16 people were killed in the search for disappeared persons in this timeframe, representing 22.9% of the cases. In the context of violence against women (18 victims) and diverse peoples (6 victims), the numbers continue an alarming trend.
Another particularly worrying statistic is that of the 70 people murdered, 60% belong to Indigenous or Afro-Mexican communities.
The state of Oaxaca remains the state with the most assassinations with 20, followed by Jalisco and Guerrero at nine each. Organizations that advocate for human rights defenders attribute 66.2% of the cases to various powerful groups while they hold local and state authorities responsible in 6.1% of cases.
In recent years EDUCA has observed with concern that the work of activists still faces obstacles in the full recognition of their work by municipal, state and federal authorities. In this context, discourses and practices remain which contribute to the criminalization of defenders, in addition to the questioning or minimization of information documented by civil society organizations, social organizations, and human rights bodies.
“Behind every name is a life that chose dignity in the face of injustice.” This Dia de los Muertos, “we honor all the human rights defenders who gave their lives defending their causes, and we call for an end to the normalization of violence against human rights defenders.”
Important Notice: Starting today, EDUCA and La Minuta will be taking a short break. We will return on November 9, 2026. We work in peace and with justice, for the benefit of the people.
Check out the monitoring of the Alas y Raíces Campaign ALL THEIR NAMES, ALL THEIR STRUGGLES 2026 – EDUCA | Images and photographs EDUCA Oaxaca
