Justice and Human Rights Mexico Project #54892

Support families fighting torture in Mexico

by Centro de Derechos Humanos Fray Bartolome de Las Casas, A.C. (Frayba)

Support families fighting torture in Mexico

Project Report | Feb 13, 2025
A historic ruling, a shared hope

By Nora Gonzalez | Fundraising area

In 1996, Antonio González, a member of the EZLN’s support base, was forcibly disappeared as part of the counter-insurgency strategy implemented by the Mexican state against the Zapatista communities.

Their disappearance took place in a context of systematic repression against indigenous peoples organized in resistance, characterized by harassment, forced displacement and human rights violations.

From the moment of his disappearance, his family and community undertook an intensive search and reporting of the facts. However, state and federal authorities consistently denied any responsibility and refused to conduct an effective investigation, prolonging the impunity of the case for several years.

Chronology of a struggle:

1996: Forced disappearance

1996 – 2000: Denial and impunity

2000 – 2010: Frayba's support for the family

2010 – 2018: Internationalization of the case

2019: Merits report by the Inter American Comission on Human Rights

2020: The case is referred to the Inter American Court of Human Rights

2023: Court Hearing

December 12, 2024: The court’s Judgment

The ruling of the IACtHR represents a milestone in the fight against impunity for crimes committed during the counterinsurgency war in Mexico. Its decision not only acknowledges the state's responsibility but also sets a precedent for other cases of forced disappearance in the region. Additionally, the internationalization of the case demonstrates the importance of collaborating with human rights networks to raise awareness and document the systematic violations of the rights of indigenous peoples.

The case of Antonio González is an example of the tireless struggle of families and communities for truth and justice. The judgment of the IACtHR is a significant step, but its effective implementation by the Mexican State is still pending. It is essential to continue monitoring the case and demand the enforcement of the established reparations measures, ensuring that such events do not happen again in the future."

It is not the justice that the family deserves, because we will still be looking for Antonio, but it is a very important step for all the victims of forced disappearance in Mexico. We want to share with you this news that encourages us to keep on fighting.

Links:

Antonio Gonzalez Case

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Oct 18, 2024
Freedom Through Solidarity

By Nora Gonzalez | Fundraising area

Through this report, we want to share with you the events of the past few months. During this time, we have faced significant challenges and encountered situations that have tested our resilience and commitment. However, it is important to take a moment to reflect on where we are now and the direction we are heading.

Although some news and situations may seem disheartening, we also celebrate great achievements. Today, we are pleased to share the joy of José Díaz’s release, Base de Apoyo del EZLN, who was unjustly imprisoned for one year and nine months. José was a victim of a system that fabricates guilt, just like so many other human rights defenders in Chiapas, who face criminalization for their work. However, thanks to the solidarity and action of many individuals, organizations, and communities around the world, his freedom has been achieved.

This story reminds us that when we unite our voices, we can break the chains of injustice. José's release is a testament to the transformative power of solidarity. Every gesture, every word, every act of support was crucial in tearing down the walls that kept him imprisoned. It was not an easy battle, but together, we showed that it is possible to confront a system that seeks to silence those who fight for their rights.

We want to express our deepest gratitude to all of you, our donors, whose support allows us to continue standing alongside people in their fight for justice, freedom, reparation, and the safe return home for those who have been displaced. Your solidarity not only makes our work possible but also inspires others to keep moving forward.

We deeply thank each one of you for your constant support of Frayba. Your contribution allows us to continue fighting for human rights and accompanying those who need it most. Let’s keep moving forward together, because with you, hope and justice remain alive.

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Jun 24, 2024
We keep hope, we fight against injustice

By Nora Gonzalez | Nora Gonzalez

Dear Friends:

Today, Chiapas is going through difficult times; it seems that the struggle for control of territory, the excessive desire to obtain economic benefits at any cost, overriding the rights of the population, has caused havoc in the daily life of the population, generating more violence and terror.

However, we cannot allow this to invade us, in spite of being a difficult and complex situation; because the solution is not only in our hands and many times the population that suffers the consequences tries to denounce so that the authorities act, but they do not receive attention or response.

From Frayba, we are committed to denounce these facts and continue to raise our voices in the face of injustice and human rights violations. This is how we launched the campaign “Fábrica de Culpables” through which we can demonstrate how the judicial system in Mexico responds to the interests of corruption and impunity. Chiapas is an example of this, because of the historical struggle for freedom. If people fall into the judicial processes, a terrible journey begins where they seek the annulment of their humanity, violating the right to freedom, with cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, they are tortured and the judicial processes to which they are subjected, are full of inconsistencies, violating their rights: avoiding having an adequate defense, not having a translator of their native language, going through unfair trials.

Despite this situation, which has persisted for years in Chiapas, we continue with hope, thanks to those who have fought to obtain justice, but we still witness the indifference of the state to the pain and suffering of its people. Therefore, we understand now more than ever, that the union between organizations, collectives, communities and peoples is fundamental, to continue raising the voice to recognize the human rights violations that are being committed daily in the state and it seems that nobody is interested. And demonstrate how these injustices are systematically generated.

As Frayba, we strengthen alliances and networks to continue denouncing what is happening, not only to be witnesses of injustices, but to act, in addition to denouncing. And to make them known; to avoid their repetition.

We keep hope, we fight against injustice.

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