Since the beginning of 2021, five people from the community of Paso de la Reyna, Oaxaca have been murdered, two of them human rights defenders. Fidel Heras Cruz was murdered on Jan. 23, 2021 and Jaime Jimenez Ruiz on March 28, 2021. Both were involved in protecting the river Río Verde, which is vital to the way of life and economy of this town of 500 inhabitants, from extractive projects.
Faced with these horrific crimes, the Oaxacan Office for the Defense of Human Rights (DDHPO), the Oaxaca Attorney General and the Secretary of Public Security in Oaxaca have neither guaranteed security measures for the community of Paso de la Reyna nor made substantial headway into the investigations of these crimes.
Despite multiple murders, as of March 31, 2021, the DDHPO has not issued measures to ensure the security of the community, despite repeated complaints of outsiders present in their town.
The Oaxacan Collective in Defense of Territories demands that state authorities implement security measures immediately to ensure the physical and psychological safety of the citizens and human rights defenders of Paso de la Reyna, Oaxaca. Furthermore we hold the DDPHO responsible for any further violence in the community due to their negligence in implementing effective measures to protect the community and prevent further violence.
The Oaxacan Collective demands the Oaxaca Attorney General’s office to expedite the investigations against the material and intellectual authors responsible for this wave of murders of human rights defenders in Paso de la Reyna, Oaxaca.
Because they are our source of life, we defend our territories
Oaxacan Collective in Defense of Territories
Oaxaca de Juárez, Oaxaca. March 31, 2021
Context:
UN slams killing of anti-dam activist in southern Mexico
The Mexican State is not effectively protecting environmental defenders
Petition condemning assassination of water protector Fidel Heras Cruz in Oaxaca, México
European Union – Parliamentary questions: Murder of environmental defender Fidel Heras Cruz in Oaxaca, Mexico
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