Precautionary Measures
Resolution No. 3/23
PM 892-22 - Pascuala López López and her family unit , Mexico
On January 26, 2023, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights adopted Resolution 3/2023, through which it granted precautionary measures for the benefit of Pascuala López López and her family unit.
The Commission considered that the existence of a situation entailing a serious risk to the beneficiary’s rights to life and personal integrity related to her position regarding the elections of authorities in the ejido Cuxtitalli el Pinar, Chiapas, and on the demands for justice for the murder of her son occurred in February 2020 is sufficiently established, and that the risk events have continued to present themselves against her and her relatives. Additionally, the Commission noted that no substantive progress has been made in sanctioning those who would be responsible for the risk events, which is a relevant aspect when establishing the risk that the beneficiary would face and the likelihood of their recurrence.
Consequently, pursuant to the provisions of Article 25 of its Rules of Procedure, the IACHR requested that the State of Mexico:
- take the necessary measures to guarantee the life and personal integrity of Ms. Pascuala López López and her identified relatives, and, specifically, ensure their safety and prevent acts of threats, intimidation, and violence against them by third parties, whilst considering the differentiated approaches based on their gender and cultural relevance;
- consult and agree upon the measures to be implemented with the beneficiaries and their representatives; and
- report on the actions taken to investigate the alleged events that led to the adoption of this resolution, so as to prevent such events from reoccurring.
Resolution No. 2/23
PM 876-22 - Eleven members of the Jesuit community of Cerocahui, Tarahumara, municipality of Urique, Chihuahua, Mexico
On January 22, 2023, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights adopted Resolution 2/2023, by which it granted precautionary measures to eleven members of the Jesuit community of Cerocahui, Tarahumara, in the municipality of Urique, Chihuahua, Mexico. The Commission considered that the beneficiaries are prima facie in a situation that places them at serious risk in the face of threats and aggressions, perpetrated by a criminal group, which also prevents the normal development of their pastoral activities and support to the communities of the area. The Commission noted that the situation of the proposed beneficiaries is framed in a context of violence and insecurity that especially affects the inhabitants of the region of Tarahumara, Chihuahua, primarily after the murder of two Jesuit priests on June 20, 2022, inside their own temple. The Commission also observed that there is a context of stigmatization and delegitimization of the proposed beneficiaries after their complaints and actions linked to the investigation into the murder of Jesuit priests, and questions about their position on the security policies of the State.
Consequently, in accordance with the provisions of Article 25 of its Rules of Procedure, the IACHR requested that the State of Mexico:
- adopt the necessary security measures to protect the life and personal integrity of the beneficiaries. Among these measures, their safety must be guaranteed and any acts of threat, intimidation, and violence against them by third parties must be prevented;
- adopt protective measures that allow the proposed beneficiaries to continue carrying out their pastoral work without being subjected to threats, intimidation, harassment, and acts of violence against them;
- consult and agree upon the measures to be adopted with the beneficiaries and their representatives; and
- report on the actions taken to investigate the facts that led to the adoption of this precautionary measure, so as to prevent such events from reoccurring.
Resolution No. 1/23
PM 42-23 - Ricardo Arturo Lagunes Gasca and Antonio Díaz Valencia, Mexico
On January 22, 2023, the IACHR decided to grant precautionary measures in favor of Ricardo Arturo Lagunes Gasca and Antonio Díaz Valencia, in Mexico. The request for precautionary measures indicates that since January 15, 2023, the whereabouts or fate of the beneficiaries is unknown. It was also reported that prior to their disappearance, both beneficiaries participated in a communal assembly in Aquila, Michoacán, a community where Ricardo Lagunes provided legal accompaniment and Antonio Díaz is a community leader. Pursuant to Article 25 of its Rules of Procedure, the Commission requested that the State of Mexico:
- redouble the efforts to determine the whereabouts or fate of Ricardo Arturo Lagunes Gasca and Antonio Díaz Valencia, in order to protect their rights to life and personal integrity; and
- report on the actions taken to investigate the facts that led to the adoption of this precautionary measure, so as to prevent such events from reoccurring.