The Problems
Mexico is a diverse country with a democratic government and one of the largest economies in the world. Yet, many people in Mexico live in extreme poverty, and the nation is rife with corruption and violence.
People with power—both public officials and members of organized crime—regularly abuse the human rights of citizens. In recent decades, the country has faced escalating violence caused by a frightening combination of drug trafficking, criminal cartels, corrupt police and government officials, and a rapid increase in armed military action. Authorities stand accused of denying basic services, demanding bribes and detaining or even torturing people who have not been charged with any crimes. Those most vulnerable to this abuse are groups that face discrimination and inequality in Mexican society overall: women and indigenous people, as well as journalists and activists.
The Mexican government and transnational corporations are launching big plans for development in the country: mining minerals, drilling for oil, building hydroelectric dams and growing massive crops to sell abroad as sources of alternative fuel. Mexico’s indigenous communities have strong historic and spiritual ties to the land and, in some cases, even have communal land titles giving them legal rights. Yet the government has evicted many indigenous communities, robbing them of their means of making a living and of the land that has played such a critical role in forging their culture.
Our Solutions
AJWS is committed to helping Mexico’s oppressed people advocate for their human rights. Our grantees are:
- Documenting human rights violations against indigenous people, women and youth to expose violence sanctioned by the government
- Supporting human rights activists to protect themselves from violence
- Engaging citizens and the government to defend all people’s civil and political rights, particularly rights to information, assembly and freedom of expression
- Increasing the participation of indigenous people, youth and women in elections, political processes and public life
- Organizing communities to advocate for improved legal protections for their land and water
- Working to ensure that violations of land rights are publicized and that perpetrators are held accountable
