Background on Chiapas and its Relevance
Chiapas, one of Mexico’s poorest states, faces significant socio-economic disparities that disproportionately affect indigenous communities, women, and children. This context is crucial to understanding the recent surge in violence against human rights defenders.
Violence Against Human Rights Defenders
According to Espacio OSC, a network of civil society organizations, there has been an alarming increase in violence against human rights defenders in Chiapas between January 2024 and June 2025. A total of 156 aggressions have been recorded, including four assassinations.
- Types of aggressions: The reported incidents include intimidation, criminalization, and armed attacks.
- Hostile environment: The context has become increasingly hostile, with defenders facing constant threats and violence.
Chiapas’s Standing in National Context
Chiapas ranks fifth nationally in the number of human rights defenders and journalists under protection measures from Mexico’s Government Protection Mechanism.
Recent Attacks on Key Organizations
The Centro de Derechos Humanos Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas (CDH Frayba) and the Centro de Dignificación Humana (Humana Centro) have recently faced severe attacks, highlighting the grave risks defenders face.
Calls for Action from International Organizations
Protect Defenders has urged Mexican authorities to fulfill their international human rights commitments and ensure that defending life, territory, and justice is not criminalized or met with violence.
- Vulnerable groups: Chiapas remains one of Mexico’s poorest states, with deep inequalities affecting indigenous peoples, women, children, and adolescents.
- Exacerbating factors: Violence, forced displacement, disappearances, and human trafficking intensify these vulnerabilities.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current situation regarding violence against human rights defenders in Chiapas? Between January 2024 and June 2025, there have been 156 reported aggressions, including four assassinations.
- Why is Chiapas a significant concern for human rights defenders? Chiapas is one of Mexico’s poorest states, with profound inequalities affecting indigenous communities, women, and children disproportionately.
- What actions have been taken by international organizations to address this issue? Protect Defenders and Espacio OSC have called on Mexican authorities to uphold their international human rights commitments and ensure defenders are not criminalized or subjected to violence.
