Chihuahua, Chih., Mexico, March 1st, 2023.- Today marks the 13th anniversary of the murder of lawyer Ernesto Rábago Martínez, a human rights defender. It’s been 13 years of impunity.

Today, for the thirteenth time in a row, we come to firmly demand that this murder be solved. Stop the impunity!

There are no words to explain the significance of Ernesto’s absence and how helpless we feel every day as justice fails to materialize. On the thirteenth anniversary of Ernesto’s death, we assembled again in front of the Cross of Nails for two reasons:

First, to commemorate the life of Ernesto, which he dedicated to fighting for justice. AND

Second, to demand, once again, that a serious, exhaustive, informal, unbiased and accountable investigation be carried out that leads to the arrest and punishment of Ernesto’s murderers.

We are tired of counting the government administrations that start and end while no progress is made in this case. Today we can show authorities of the various levels of government that we remain and will remain strong, together, firm against impunity.

Although the Rarámuri community of Bakéachi has become a national and international benchmark for the recovery of more than 21,000 hectares of their ancestral land, this fight is not over, because, in addition to the unpunished homicide of Ernesto, there are ongoing attacks, threats and assaults on the main leaders of the community, as well as their legal representative Estela Ángeles Mondragón and her family.

Please keep in mind that the Rarámuri communities of Bakéachi, Chinéachi, Bakuseachi and Huehuechérare know how to be persistent and tenacious in the pursuit of justice and so we will keep going on until justice is served.

Justice for Ernesto!

Warú matétere’ ba