A Visit That Seeks Commitments to Protect Mexican Human Rights Defenders in Canada
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Together with Hugo Arreola, from the Zeferino Ladrillero Human rights center, the young activist arrived in Canada to ask that the Canadian government and society demand compliance with said instrument of Mexican legislation that seeks, at least on paper, to ensure the safety of people exercising thes jobs.
A visit that seeks commitments
The visit of Elizabeth Mosqueda Rivera and Hugo Arreola to Canada took place a few weeks after the proclamation of the Canada-Mexico Action Plan by Prime Minister Mark Carney.In this context, Ottawa foresees crucial investments to support social and security programs in Mexico.
* Canada will allocate $5.5 million to a project of the International Labor Association and other UN agencies to facilitate the integration of migrants, improve employment programs and strengthen communities.
* It will invest 4.4 million dollars, together with the UN and the Royal Gendarmerie, to support Mexico in the fight against trafficking of fentanyl and other opioids.
Mark carney’s visit to Mexico, which agreed on the Canada-Mexico Action Plan, took place ahead of what are expected to be difficult negotiations with the United States on the trilateral trade agreement.
Photo: Getty Images / Manuel Velasquez
In Canada, the small delegation of Espacio OSC, a network of Mexican civil organizations, warns that the protection of those who defend human rights and the territory cannot be left out of these bilateral agreements.
Defend the earth,risk your life
Elizabeth Mosqueda,who works with rural communities and women’s rights defenders in Oaxaca,explained that the Mexican protection mechanism,as it is functioning,cannot guarantee the life and safety of defenders.
The objective is to expand the legislation, improve it and monitor the request of these laws to guarantee the protection of human rights defenders and journalists.
– elizabeth Mosqueda, human rights defender, Oaxaca Consortium
## Mexico’s Human Rights Defenders face Escalating Risks Amidst Increased Canadian Investment
According to Amnesty International, Mexico is one of the most risky countries in the world to defend human or environmental rights.
In its 2023 report “mexico: Land and Freedom? Criminalization of Defenders of Land, Territory and Environment,” (new window) This organization warns that impunity, corruption and collusion between authorities and private actors increase the vulnerability of those who report abuses or defend the territory. Amnesty International states that the criminalization of protest is used as part of a broad strategy to discourage and dismantle the defense of rights related to land, territory and the environment.
### A binational co-obligation
The recent visit of Mexican delegates to Canada is linked to the economic and political context surrounding Canadian investment in mexico. In September, when Prime Minister Mark Carney was in Mexico, he explained that the Canada-Mexico Action Plan contemplates million-dollar investments in strategic sectors such as mining, hydrocarbons, ports and railways.
Brent Patterson, from Peace Brigades International – Canada (PBI-Canada), who coordinated the visit of Elizabeth Mosqueda and Hugo Arreola, pointed out that the main attacks on human rights defenders occur in these sectors and that the situation could worsen.> Canada has acknowledged that the Mechanism lacks sufficient resources and personnel. Elizabeth and Hugo came to reiterate that message and ask that the commitment to reinforce it be fulfilled, especially at this key political moment.
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> – Brent patterson, executive director of International Peace Brigades-Canada.
Mexican Human Rights Defenders Meet with Canadian Parliamentarians
From left to right, top to bottom, these are photos of the meetings that the Mexican delegation held with the leader of the Green Party, Elizabeth May; Olivier Tremblay-Venneri, legislative assistant to Conservative MP Michael Chong; New Democratic Party MP Leah Gazan; and Liberal MP judy Sgro, chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade.
Photo: PBI – Canada · Brent Patterson
Elizabeth Mosqueda Rivera emphasized the importance of the sensitivity and openness of Canadian actors.
These meetings are essential to break down barriers of misinformation and stigma about Mexico and to generate strategies in favor of defenders, but above all to address the structural violence that makes the defense of human rights necessary.
Brent Patterson added that these are issues that concern and move Canadians.
Canadians are already aware of the violence associated with mining operations, especially in Mexico… There is awareness and ability to link these struggles at a cross-border level.