Thirty-three human rights, land, and territorial organizations warned about the crisis of these rights in the state of Oaxaca, which the administration of Governor Salomón Jara Cruz has ignored and denied, despite its diverse implications, including security, health, sexual diversity, and the criminalization of social protest. The activists presented a series of proposals they consider necessary to address and correct this situation.
At a conference, they reported that the document “Situation on the Respect and Exercise of Human Rights in the State of Oaxaca” was presented on May 9 during a visit by representatives from the Dutch Embassy.
This document highlights various violations committed during the Jara administration, which have been of great interest to the Netherlands.
The document emphasizes issues such as the murders of people due to agrarian conflicts and land and territory defenders, attacks on defenders, the increase in femicide, as well as the right to sexual diversity, health, security, and a healthy environment, in addition to the right to citizen organization and participation, the right to women’s political participation, and finally, the right to information and communication.
Social Protest Criminalized
They lamented how the Morena administration of Salomón Jara criminalizes social protest, far from addressing its causes; “Oaxaca ranks first in murders of human rights defenders, followed by Guerrero, with 39 percent, and Chiapas, with 17 percent.
Among the cases reported, they highlighted that of activist Sandra Domínguez, who disappeared in October 2024 and was found dead last April.
They added that, according to the observatory on femicide, coordinated by the Rosario Castellanos Women’s Studies Group, 237 violent deaths of girls and women have been recorded during Salomón Jara’s administration.
They also highlighted the state of the state health system, which is in a deplorable state, as evidenced by the work stoppages carried out by the staff at the Doctor Aurelio Valdivieso Hospital, which suspended surgeries and emergency surgical care last January due to a hospital crisis caused by a lack of supplies, medical supplies, medications, and comprehensive services.
The defenders emphasized that the objective of These organizations are not targeting any government or pursuing a political motive, but rather exposing the current situation and seeking to reverse it. That is why various proposals are being put forward. It is not just a matter of pointing out the situation, but of correcting it.
Government Turns a Deaf Ear
They considered it regrettable that, as he approaches the halfway point of his administration, the president has turned a deaf ear to the groups of women and men defenders who are raising their voices to demand a change of course.
Neftalí Reyes Méndez, a member of the “No to Mining, for a Future for All” Front, lamented that “the Salomón Jara administration, far from representing a leftist government, symbolizes a regression in terms of human rights violations.”
The most serious aspect, she emphasized, is that far from recognizing and addressing the situation in the state, it uses the entire government apparatus to criminalize and delegitimize civil society, which puts at risk those who dare to point out the human rights crisis in Oaxaca.
They stated that the situation in the state has various aspects that must be addressed, so they created a list of ten recommendations that will be delivered to the authorities for their consideration and to participate in a joint working group to improve the current situation in Oaxaca.
Source: jornada
