The Office in Mexico of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN-DH) and the National Commission on Human Rights (CNDH) condemned the killing of environmentalist Isaac Medardo Herrera and demanded that there be no impunity in the case.
On the night of March 23, Herrera Avilés, defender of the nature reserve “Los Venados” and legal representative of the 13 villages in defense of the “Chihuahuita” spring, was killed outside his home in the municipality of Jiutepec, Morelos.
UN DH noted that a group of gunmen arrived at his home, knocked on the door and when the human rights defender opened, he was shot.
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Second environmentalist killed in 2020
According to the United Nations office, Isaac Medardo is the second human rights and environmental defender killed in Mexico during 2020.
Jesús Peña, UN-DH representative in Mexico, condemned the killing of the defender and stated that “those who defend the environment are defending all humanity,” so he called on society to support activists, and the authorities to find those responsible for the murder.
#Comunicado UN-DH condemns the murder of environmental defender Isaac Medardo Herrera Avilés.
More info ? https://t.co/GZFte1UjH2 pic.twitter.com/ai15CBRYgM
— UN-DH Mexico (@ONUDHmexico) March 25, 2020
The CNDH expressed concern at the increasing number of killings committed against human rights defenders, 51 since 2006.
It therefore urged the relevant authorities to carry out an immediate and comprehensive investigation of the events committed against Herrera Avilés, and to analyse at all times the line linked to its defence work.
The agency reiterated its concern “about the lack of appropriate mechanisms and strategies of the authorities to prevent, prevent killings and assaults against human rights defenders”.
For the Commission, this inhibits the exercise of the defence of rights, which “in many cases disadvantages the causes they defend, as in this case the environment”.
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Finally, she pledged to participate as an observer of “the evolution of events and investigations by the competent authorities to find the persons responsible, bring them to justice and receive punishment”.
We condemn the murder of human rights defender and environmentalist Isaac Medardo Herrera Avilés; we express our condolences to their families and call on the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation so that there is no impunity. ? https://t.co/PXMRU3aB52 pic.twitter.com/8vGzEm8b1C
— CNDH in Mexico (@CNDH) March 24, 2020
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