Chihuahua, Chih., November 24th, 2021.- Today we learned about the harassment and espionage carried out by the then Republic’s Attorney General’s Office (PGR) against human rights defenders Mercedes Doretti and Ana Lorena Delgadillo, as well as journalist Marcela Turati, after their work to investigate the case and accompany the victims of the “San Fernando Clandestine Graves” Massacre that took place in 2011.

In 2015, the PGR, through the Office of the Special Prosecutor for Organized Crime Investigation (SEIDO), opened a file against the defenders, investigating them for organized crime. The aforementioned file includes evidence of spying on their communications.

Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries to practice journalism and human rights defense; the actions taken against the defenders violate their right to defend, as well as their freedom of speech and is an attack on victims and their right to access justice.

This situation makes corruption in the justice system evident, and the attack is considered a risk for all those who are dedicated to the active defense of human rights and journalism.

The civil society organizations of the state of Chihuahua express our sincere concern and outrage at these events. We state our solidarity and support for those affected and we demand that the Mexican State investigate and repair these events, as well as guarantee the security and privacy of all those dedicated to the defense of human rights, and journalism.

Signed:

Abogadas Demócratas

Alianza Sierra Madre A.C. (ASMAC)

Casa Amiga Esther Chávez Cano A.C.

Centro de Atención a la Mujer Trabajadora de Chihuahua A.C. (CAMT)

Centro de Derechos Humanos de las Mujeres A.C. (CEDEHM)

Centro de Derechos Humanos Paso del Norte A.C.

Comisión de Solidaridad y Defensa de los Derechos Humanos A.C. (COSYDDHAC)

Consultoría Técnica Comunitaria A.C. (CONTEC)

Derechos Humanos Integrales en Acción A.C. (DHIA)

Ecos de Mirabal

El Barzón Chihuahua

Grupo Feminista Ocho de Marzo de Chihuahua A.C.

Justicia Para Nuestras Hijas A.C. (JPNH)

Mujeres por México en Chihuahua A.C.

Organización para la Defensa del Patrimonio Familiar y de los Derechos Humanos A.C.

Transforma A.C.

Unión Campesina Democrática Chihuahua

Uno de Siete Migrando A.C.

Alma Gómez Caballero

Elvira Villareal

Érika Mendoza

Gabino Gómez Escárcega

Irma Villanueva Nájera

Javier Ávila A. S. J.

María Fernanda Aquino Baeza

María Hilda De la Vega Cobos

Martín Solís

Minerva Maese Gómez

Lucero de Lourdes Espíndola De la Vega

Luz Estela Castro Rodríguez

Ruth Fierro Pineda

Víctor M. Quintana S.