Background and Relevance of the Case
Ten years have passed since the murder of photojournalist Rubén Espinosa and the feminicides of Mile Virginia Martín, Yesenia Quiroz, Nadia Vera, and Alejandra Negrete. These tragic events took place in the Narvarte neighborhood of Mexico City, shocking the nation and highlighting the dangers faced by journalists and human rights defenders.
Rubén Espinosa was a well-known photojournalist who covered social movements and human rights issues. His work often put him at odds with powerful individuals and institutions, making him a target for intimidation and violence. The four women he lived with in the Narvarte apartment were also human rights activists, further emphasizing the risks associated with their line of work.
Article 19’s Allegations and Concerns
Article 19, a prominent Mexican civil society organization dedicated to defending freedom of expression, has denounced the persistence of impunity in this case. The Fiscalía General de Justicia de la Ciudad de México (FGJCDMX) has failed to clarify the crime and identify all individuals responsible, both directly and indirectly.
The organization has highlighted multiple irregularities, omissions, and negligence by institutions throughout the investigation process. Families of the victims have faced unjustified delays, information leaks, stigmatization, and limited access to the truth.
Progress in Investigation
Despite the shortcomings, Article 19 acknowledges that some progress has been made, primarily due to the persistent efforts of the victims’ families and their lawyers.
- In 2021, they successfully gained access to the preliminary investigation and digital evidence that had been withheld for over six years.
- These efforts uncovered that at least ten individuals were involved in the crime, a second vehicle was used, and there may have been institutional cover-up.
- However, the FGJCDMX only acknowledged these findings after they were publicly disclosed in 2022.
Article 19’s Recommendations
To ensure justice and accountability, Article 19 urges the following actions:
- Exhaust all investigation lines, particularly those related to journalism and human rights defense.
- Identify and sanction all material and intellectual perpetrators.
- Fully comply with Recommendation 4/2017.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Rubén Espinosa? Rubén Espinosa was a Mexican photojournalist known for his work covering social movements and human rights issues.
- Who were the other victims in the Narvarte case? The other victims were human rights activists Mile Virginia Martín, Yesenia Quiroz, Nadia Vera, and Alejandra Negrete.
- What is Article 19? Article 19 is a Mexican civil society organization that advocates for freedom of expression.
- What has been the progress in the investigation? Some progress has been made due to the efforts of victims’ families and lawyers, who gained access to crucial evidence and uncovered new details about the crime.
- What are Article 19’s recommendations? Article 19 calls for a thorough investigation, identification and punishment of all responsible parties, and full compliance with Recommendation 4/2017.
