Human rights defenders (HRDs) and journalists in Mexico are subject to intimidation, legal harassment, arbitrary detention, death threats, acts of physical aggression, forced disappearances and killings as a result of their activities in defence of human rights and the exercise of freedom of expression and journalism.

A variety of human rights issues can put HRDs in high-risk situations. Journalists denouncing corruption and impunity, environmental rights defenders, women activists and defenders who work with local communities are particularly at risk. In addition, human rights defenders denouncing human rights violations committed by the armed forces and promoting the rights of indigenous peoples', migrants and peasants' rights work under a constant climate of fear.

The Mesoamerican Women Human Rights Defenders Initiative report that violence against women human rights defenders has intensified, without noticeable political will nor specific results from the Mexican State to counter this. The degree of impunity in which these cases remain and the levels of involvement of authorities in the attacks are obstacles to any effective protection measures. It is reported that in 2011, there were 68 cases of attacks against human right defenders, with 41 percent being women. Cases include violent attacks, threats, sexual abuse and, in some cases, rape and torture.

Several international organisations and bodies have previously expressed concern for the lack of protection for human rights defenders and those who exercise freedom of expression in Mexico, such as the recommendations issued on the occasion of the 2009 Universal Periodic Review of Mexico, and the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights Defenders, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN and OAS Special Rapporteurs on Freedom of Expression, who noted that in the past decade Mexico has become one of the world's most dangerous countries for journalists to exercise their profession.

Security measures provided to HRDs have proven to be inadequate and ineffective and contribute to the severity and frequency of the abuses suffered resulting in high levels of impunity. Those affected have reported deficiencies in the implementation of protective measures, a lack of coordination between the Mexican state agencies involved in their protection, and insufficient monitoring of prescribed measures.

On 30 April 2012 the last ordinary session of the Sixteenth Legislature of the Congress saw the unanimous passing of the draft law establishing a national mechanism for the protection of human rights defenders and journalists. The mechanism has the potential to guarantee protection of HRDs and journalists if implemented in an effective way.