Tactics and tools for the protection
of Human Rights Defenders

14 February 2011

Human rights defender Ms Guadalupe Calzada continues to face serious risks as a result of her position as founder and Coordinator of the Albergue San Juan Diego in Lechería, Mexico State, Mexico, despite receiving police protection following previous threats to her security.

Further Information

The latest threat occurred on 9 February 2011 when Guadalupe Calzada was subjected to death threats by unknown individuals. The Albergue San Juan Diego is a hostel, operated on a volunteer basis, which offers accommodation, help and support to migrants, many of whom are under threat of abduction from criminal gangs and human trafficking organisations operating in the area. The hostel is a member of the Dimensión Pastoral de la Movilidad Humana – DPMH (Pastoral Dimension of Human Mobility) network, a Catholic Church-run network defending migrants’ rights.

On 9 February 2011, a member of the DPMH received a telephone call from an unknown individual who stated that Guadalupe Calzada would be killed between the 8th and 10th of February 2011. The incident was reported to the authorities.

The Comisión Nacional de los Derechos Humanos - CNDH (National Human Rights Commission) had granted precautionary protection measures to Guadalupe Calzada as a result of previous threats and specifically relating to an incident in July 2010 when armed members of the federal police reportedly used excessive force against members of the hostel as they attempted to detain migrants who were on the street at the location.

On 30 January 2011, an individual reported to Guadalupe Calzada that they had overheard discussions between presumed members of a trafficking organisation in which it was indicated that they planned to burn down the hostel and assassinate Guadalupe Calzada. On the same day, the municipal police arrested an individual thought to have been among this group, who had verbally assaulted Guadalupe Calzada outside of the hostel.

Front Line believes that the threats against Guadalupe Calzada are directly related to her legitimate and peaceful work in defence of the human rights of migrants. Front line is gravely concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Guadalupe Calzada and other individuals associated with the Albergue San Juan Diego, as well as defenders of migrants’ rights in Mexico State as well as Mexico in general.

Front Line urges the authorities in Mexico to:

1. Carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the death threats against Guadalupe Calzada with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;

2. Continue to grant precautionary measures to Guadalupe Calzada, with a view to effectively meeting her protection needs;

3. Guarantee in all circumstances that human rights defenders in Mexico are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment.