Mexico Journalist

Insecurity in Mexico has resulted in mounting pressures against activists and journalists in Mexico, causing some to flee or cease their work for fear of retaliation. In the fall of 2012, Mexico inaugurated a new government initiative to protect human rights defenders and journalists through transparent protection measures. The initiative’s governing body, composed of government officials and civil society representatives, will receive and analyze reports of threats to advocates and journalists, decide which cases are to be granted protection, and oversee effective implementation of its resolutions, which will be mandatory for government agencies. The initiative was supported by MacArthur grantees Red Nacional de Organismos Civiles de Derechos Humanos "Todos los Derechos para Todos" and the Instituto Mexicano de Derechos Humanos y Democracia; leaders of these organizations will serve on an Advisory Council responsible for ensuring the initiative’s protection measures are comprehensive, context-specific, and gender-sensitive.