·
It was known that he was at risk, therefore his death could have been
prevented
·
Since the contingency plan for Chihuahua has been adopted, five human
rights defenders have been murdered
Chihuahua, Chihuahua. October 26, 2018. On the night of October 24, the
organization Alianza Sierra Madre (ASMAC) was informed, through a phone call,
that the rarámuri leader and
recipient of the National Mechanism for the Protection of Human Rights
Defenders and Journalists, Julian Carrillo Martinez, had been murdered in Guadalupe
y Calvo, Chihuahua, México.
The day before they had obtained information that Julian had called from
a mountain to tell he had decided to flee his home because he had been several sicarios (hitmen) stalking him. After
that there was no further communication with him.
On October 24, at 20:00 hours, another Mechanism’s recipient had
communicated with ASMAC members to report that Julian’s son had called from the
satellite phone they have as part of the protection measures, and informed they
had heard gunshots and that he believed his father had been murdered.
Because the telephone line stopped responding, ASMAC staff dialed the
family's satellite phone number to get more information; however, they couldn’t
communicate and only listen to an automatic recording announcing that the phone
wasn’t programmed to receive calls.
Later, ASMAC received communication from another member of the community,
who asked to file a report with the State of Chihuahua Attorney General Office
(FGE in Spanish) that in the community of Coloradas
de la Virgen there had been a shooting. One hour later, ASMAC confirmed
that Julian had been found dead in a mountain, his body was completely destroyed.
The organizations and individuals that subscribe this communication are
categorical in our statement: the risk undergone by the recipient of the
protection measures and President of Community Property of Coloradas de la Virgen was extremely high and also well known by
the FGE’s Protection Mechanism; therefore, his death could have been prevented.
In fact, one month before a communication was sent to both offices to report on
the forced displacement of Julian and other community leaders provoked by the
murder of Julian’s son in law, as a way to drive him away from the territory
that he loved and that he died defending.
Julian left his land temporarily after he heard rumors that people were
looking for him to kill him for his work of denouncing the situation in Coloradas de la Virgen. He had been
threatened before in 2017 and 2018.
On August 16, 2018, after his relatives informed him of the unfortunate
passing of his daughter in the city of Parral on August 16, 2018, as a
consequence of a post labor complication that caused the death of her baby, Julian
had to return to Baborigame on Saturday, August 11 to take her daughter’s body
to Coloradas de la Virgen
and since that day he was itinerant between Coloradas de la Virgen and Baborigame. These events were reported through cell phone (once he managed to get a signal after looking in different mountains, due to the region’s inaccessibility). The satellite phone was disabled and could not communicate to Chihuahua.
and since that day he was itinerant between Coloradas de la Virgen and Baborigame. These events were reported through cell phone (once he managed to get a signal after looking in different mountains, due to the region’s inaccessibility). The satellite phone was disabled and could not communicate to Chihuahua.
Previously, in February 2016 Julian had to witness the murder of his son Víctor Carrillo Carrillo; he could avoid the attack because he was outside of the house. Also other relatives have been murdered: Guadalupe Carrillo Polanco (Julian Carrillo’s nephew, murdered in July, 2016), Alberto Quiñones Carrillo (Julian Carrillo’s nephew, murdered in September 2017); Francisco Chaparro Carrillo (Julian Carrillo’s son in law, murdered on July 1st, 2018). This last murder caused his forced displacement to a different State in Mexico for several weeks.
Julian Carrillo was a recipient of the Protection Mechanism; he had been
incorporated along with other rarámuri
defenders and ASMAC members in February 2014. Due to the lack of knowledge
about the way of conducting a collective risk analysis, as well as the terrain
conditions and especially due to the insecurity in the area, the Protection
Mechanism took 17 months to conduct the risk analysis, and it was carried out
remotely, without visiting the community.
One week ago, in the framework of the review of the environmental table
of the contingency plan, one of the recipient of the Protection Mechanism had
expressed in the presence of civil organizations, state and federal
authorities, his concern about the violence within the community and about the
four mining concessions granted irregularly to the attackers. He also expressed
his wish to continue carrying out his labor in safe and free conditions, and
his concern for the impunity of the 17 murders of rarámuri leaders and indigenous authorities in the area, including
the case of Isidro Baldenegro.
The challenges in the implementation of collective protection measures
of the Mechanism are evident. As pointed out by the United Nations Special
Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders, Michel Forst, in the report of his visit to Mexico in January 2017:
Human
rights defenders of indigenous communities, among the defenders who work on
economic, social and cultural rights, are in the highest risk. The situation of
indigenous human rights is extremely
concerning and those who defend the rights in these communities face the
greatest risks. In states such as Oaxaca, Chihuahua, Guerrero, State of Mexico and
Chiapas, the multiplication of development projects and monopolization of land
lead to an escalation of conflict, since indigenous communities refuse to lose
their ancestral land. Often these communities have a specific view of the world
where the land, the woods, water and wind are essential for their existence and
for the protection of their ancestral territory.
Under international, constitutional and legal obligations, Mexican
authorities have a reinforced duty of preventing, attending, protecting,
processing, sanctioning and eradicating attacks against human rights defenders.
For that, given this situation:
First: We express our absolute condemnation of the
murder of Julián Carrillo Martínez an indigenous person who was under the
protection of the Protection Mechanism.
Second: We request the Governance Board of the
Protection Mechanism to Schedule an urgent review of the case and an evaluation
of their actions in the next ordinary meeting to be held on October 30 and 31.
Third: We urge the FGE to conduct a quick and
diligent investigation of the case in order to identify all the perpetrators
and masterminds in order to prosecute them and sanction them, respecting the
guarantees of due process.
Fourth: We request a review, without delay, of the
implementation of the contingency plan aimed at the identification and
eradication of the structural causes that allow the attacks to human rights
defenders, with the purpose of strengthening the necessary measures to
guarantee the labor of defenders of collective human rights in regions where
there is a high presence of organized crime and an absence of competent
authorities.
Non governmental human rights organizations:
Borde Político, A.C.
Bowerasa, A.C. Haciendo Camino
Enjambre Digital, A.C.
Casa Amiga Esther Chávez Cano, A.C.
Causa en Común, A.C.
Centro de Atención a la Mujer Trabajadora,
A.C. (CAMT)
Centro de Derechos Humanos Fray Francisco de
Vitoria OP, A.C.
Centro de Derechos Humanos de las Mujeres,
A.C. (CEDEHM)
Centro de Derechos Humanos Paso del Norte,
A.C
Centro Nacional de Comunicación Social, A.C. (CENCOS)
Círculo de Estudios de Género, A.C.
Colectivo contra la Tortura y la
Impunidad
Comisión Ciudadana De Derechos Humanos Del Noroeste, A.C. (CCDH)
Comisión de Solidaridad y Defensa de los
Derechos Humanos, A.C. (COSYDDHAC)
Comité de Derechos Humanos de Nuevo Laredo,
A.C.
Consorcio para el Diálogo Parlamentario y la Equidad Oaxaca, A.C
Consultoría Técnica Comunitaria, A.C.
(CONTEC)
Ecos de Mirabal
El Barzón Chihuahua
Fatima, I.B.P.
Fundar, Centro de Análisis e Investigación,
A.C.
Grupo Abogadas Demócratas
Grupo Feminista 8 de Marzo, A.C.
Grupo Promotor de los Derechos Políticos de las Ciudadanas
Instituto Mexicano de Derechos Humanos y Democracia, A.C. (IMDHD)
Justicia para Nuestras Hijas, A.C. (JPNH)
Laboratorio de Innovación para la Paz, A.C.
Mujeres Barzonistas
Mujeres por México en Chihuahua, A.C.
Oficina en Washington para Asuntos Latinoamericanos (WOLA)
Observa Ciudadan@, Observatorio para el
Acceso a la Información Pública
Organización para la Defensa del Patrimonio
Familiar y los Derechos Humanos, A. C. (UCD Chihuahua)
Programa Compañeros, A.C.
Red Mesa de Mujeres de Ciudad Juárez, A.C.
Red Mesa de Mujeres de Ciudad Juárez, A.C.
Red por la Participación Ciudadana
Renacer Lagunero, A.C.
Servicios y asesoría para La Paz , A.C.
(SERAPAZ)
Tierra Nativa, A.C.
Transforma, A.C.
Uno de Siete Migrando, A.C.
#PropuestaMx
Individuals:
Alejandra Nuño Ruiz-Velasco
Alberto Athie
Catalina Pérez Correa
Daniel Vázquez, IIJ-UNAM
David Pérez Esparza
Denisse Dresser
Eliana García Laguna
Fernando Valdez
Michael Chamberlin
Yésica Sánchez Maya
Networks:
Red Nacional de Organismos Civiles de Derechos Humanos
“Todos los Derechos para Todas y Todos”
(conformada por 85 organizaciones en 23 estados de la República mexicana):
Academia Hidalguense de Educación y Derechos Humanos A.C. (ACADERH); Agenda LGBT (Estado de México); Alianza Sierra Madre, A.C. (Chihuahua); Asistencia Legal por los Derechos Humanos, A.C. (AsiLegal) (Ciudad de México); Asociación Jalisciense de Apoyo a los Grupos Indígenas, A.C. (AJAGI) (Guadalajara, Jal.); Asociación para la Defensa de los Derechos Ciudadanos “Miguel Hidalgo” (Jacala Hgo.); Bowerasa, A.C. “Haciendo Camino” (Chihuahua, Chih.); Casa del Migrante Saltillo (Saltillo, Coah.); Católicas por el Derecho a Decidir, A.C. (Ciudad de México); Centro “Fray Julián Garcés” Derechos Humanos y Desarrollo Local, A. C. (Tlaxcala, Tlax.); Centro de Apoyo al Trabajador, A.C. (CAT) (Ciudad de México); Centro de Derechos de la Mujeres de Chiapas (San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chis.); Centro de Derechos Humanos “Don Sergio” (Jiutepec, Mor.); Centro de Derechos Humanos “Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas”, A. C. (San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chis); Centro de Derechos Humanos “Fray Francisco de Vitoria O.P.”, A. C. (Ciudad de México); Centro de Derechos Humanos “Fray Matías de Córdova”, A.C. (Tapachula, Chis.); Centro de Derechos Humanos “Juan Gerardi”, A. C. (Torreón, Coah.); Centro de Derechos Humanos “Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez”, A. C. (Ciudad de México); Centro de Derechos Humanos de la Montaña, Tlachinollan, A. C. (Tlapa, Gro.); Centro de Derechos Humanos de las Mujeres (Chihuahua); Centro de Derechos Humanos de los Pueblos del Sur de Veracruz “Bety Cariño”, A.C. (Tatahuicapan de Juárez, Ver.); Centro de Derechos Humanos Digna Ochoa, A.C (Tonalá, Chis.); Centro de Derechos Humanos Paso del Norte (Cd. Juárez, Chih.); Centro de Derechos Humanos Toaltepeyolo (Orizaba, Veracruz); Centro de Derechos Humanos Victoria Diez, A.C. (León, Gto.); Centro de Derechos Humanos Zeferino Ladrillero (CDHZL) (Estado de México); Centro de Derechos Indígenas “Flor y Canto”, A. C. (Oaxaca, Oax.); Centro de Derechos Indígenas A. C. (Bachajón, Chis.); Centro de Investigación y Capacitación Propuesta Cívica A. C. (Propuesta Cívica) (Ciudad de México); Centro de Justicia para la Paz y el Desarrollo, A. C. (CEPAD) (Guadalajara, Jal.); Centro de los Derechos del Migrante (Ciudad de México); Centro de Reflexión y Acción Laboral (CEREAL-Guadalajara) (Guadalajara, Jal.); Centro Diocesano para los Derechos Humanos “Fray Juan de Larios”, A.C. (Saltillo, Coah.); Centro Juvenil Generando Dignidad (Comalcalco, Tabasco); Centro Kalli Luz Marina (Orizaba, Ver.); Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental (CEMDA) (Ciudad de México); Centro Mujeres (La Paz, BCS.); Centro Regional de Defensa de DDHH José María Morelos y Pavón, A.C. (Chilapa, Gro.); Centro Regional de Derechos Humanos “Bartolomé Carrasco”, A.C. (BARCA) (Oaxaca, Oax.); Ciencia Social Alternativa, A.C. KOOKAY (Mérida, Yuc.); Ciudadanía Lagunera por los Derechos Humanos, A.C. (CILADHAC) (Torreón, Coah.); Colectivo contra la Tortura y la Impunidad (CCTI) (Ciudad de México); Colectivo Educación para la Paz y los Derechos Humanos, A.C. (CEPAZDH) (San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Chis.); Comisión Ciudadana de Derechos Humanos del Noroeste (Mexicali, Baja California); Comisión de Derechos Humanos y Laborales del Valle de Tehuacán, A.C. (Tehuacán, Pue.); Comisión de Solidaridad y Defensa de los Derechos Humanos, A.C. (COSYDDHAC) (Chihuahua, Chih.); Comisión Independiente de Derechos Humanos de Morelos, A. C. (CIDHMOR) (Cuernavaca, Mor.); Comisión Regional de Derechos Humanos “Mahatma Gandhi”, A. C. (Tuxtepec, Oax.); Comité Cerezo (Ciudad de México); Comité Cristiano de Solidaridad Monseñor Romero (Ciudad de México); Comité de Defensa de las Libertades Indígenas (Palenque, Chis.); Comité de Defensa Integral de Derechos Humanos Gobixha A.C. (CODIGODH) (Oaxaca, Oax.); Comité de Derechos Humanos “Fr. Pedro Lorenzo de la Nada”, A. C. (Ocosingo, Chis.); Comité de Derechos Humanos “Sierra Norte de Veracruz”, A. C. (Huayacocotla, Ver.); Comité de Derechos Humanos Ajusco (Ciudad de México); Comité de Derechos Humanos de Colima No Gubermantal A. C. (Colima, Col.); Comité de Derechos Humanos de Comalcalco, A. C. (CODEHUCO) (Comalcalco, Tab); Comité de Derechos Humanos de Tabasco, A. C. (CODEHUTAB) (Villahermosa, Tab); Comité de Derechos Humanos y Orientación Miguel Hidalgo, A. C. (Dolores Hidalgo, Gto.); Comité de Familiares de Detenidos Desaparecidos “Hasta Encontrarlos”(Ciudad de México); Comité Sergio Méndez Arceo Pro Derechos Humanos de Tulancingo, Hgo A.C. (Tulancingo, Hgo.); Consultoría Técnica Comunitaria AC (CONTEC) (Chihuahua); El Caracol, A.C (Ciudad de México); Estancia del Migrante González y Martínez, A.C. (Querétaro, Qro.); Frente Cívico Sinaloense. Secretaría de Derechos Humanos (Culiacán, Sin.); Fundación para la Justicia y el Estado Democrático de Derecho (Ciudad de México); Indignación, A. C. Promoción y Defensa de los Derechos Humanos (Mérida, Yuc.); Instituto de Derechos Humanos Ignacio Ellacuria, S.J. Universidad Iberoamericana- Puebla (Puebla, Pue.); Instituto Mexicano de Derechos Humanos y Democracia (Ciudad de México); Instituto Mexicano para el Desarrollo Comunitario, A. C. (IMDEC) (Guadalajara, Jal.); Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Occidente. Programa Institucional de Derechos Humanos y Paz (Guadalajara, Jal.); Justicia, Derechos Humanos y Género, A.C. (Ciudad de México); La 72, Hogar-Refugio para Personas Migrantes (La 72) (Tenosique, Tabasco); Mujeres Indígenas por la Conservación, Investigación y Aprovechamiento de los Recursos Naturales, A. C. (CIARENA) (Oaxaca); Oficina de Defensoría de los Derechos de la Infancia A.C. (ODI) (Ciudad de México); Promoción de los Derechos Económicos, Sociales y Culturales (PRODESCAC) (Estado de México); Proyecto de Derechos Económicos, Sociales y Culturales (ProDESC) (Ciudad de México); Proyecto sobre Organización, Desarrollo, Educación e Investigación (PODER) (Ciudad de México); Red Solidaria de Derechos Humanos, A.C. (Morelia, Michoacán); Respuesta Alternativa, A. C. Servicio de Derechos Humanos y Desarrollo Comunitario (San Luis Potosí); Servicio, Paz y Justicia de Tabasco, A.C. (SERPATAB) (Villahermosa, Tab.); Servicios de Inclusión Integral, A.C. (SEIINAC) (Pachuca, Hgo.); Tequio Jurídico A.C. (Oaxaca, Oax.); VIHas de Vida (Guadalajara, Jal.); Voces Mesoamericanas, Acción con Pueblos Migrantes AC (San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas).