Human rights defenders in Chiapas, Mexico face intimidation

The office of Fray Bartolome de Las Casas (Frayba) a human rights organization that promotes and defends human rights in Chiapas, Mexico was raided on 22 October 2006. This incidence combined with threats directed at individual members of Frayba, increasingly indicates there is a strategic attempt to obstruct the work and intimidate human rights defenders in Chiapas.

Frayba has denounced and documented over twenty cases of harassment, intimidation and attacks against activists and human rights defenders in Chiapas, including members of Frayba. On 14 March 2006, Frayba sent a formal complaint to the Public Prosecutor of the Republic of Mexico, regarding the alleged raid on the residence of one of the organization’s members, David Méndez. In June 2006, alleged threats against another member of Frayba, Mañuel Hernandez, were also reported.

Describing the pattern of continuous intimidation and harassment faced by Frayba and its members, José Manuel Insulza, a spokesperson for Frayba, said: “Even in conditions of democracy, even where government’s are chosen, even when supposedly we have a government of rights, the profession of human rights defender continues to be, unfortunately, a dangerous profession.”

Front Line believes that the raid of the office of Frayba and the cases of harassment against members of the organisation, are directly related to the work of defending human rights in Chiapas. Front Line urges the Mexican authorities to carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the reported raid at the office of Frayba, publish the results and bring those responsible to justice. Front Line calls on the authorities to take immediate action to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Frayba members and that of all human rights defenders in Mexico.