“One year after the killing of Julián Carrillo, the EU must act for HRDs in Mexico”, 24^th October 2019

One year after the killing of Mexican human rights defender (HRD) Julián Carrillo, our organisations call for the European Union (EU) and its member states to step up efforts toward justice for his killing and to reinforce their support to HRDs throughout the country…

Despite the arrest of two suspects in Julián Carrillo’s murder, his family remains at risk and the protection measures provided to his community are still not adapted to their collective culture nor have they addressed the root causes of the violence they face…

Justice for the killing of Julián and other HRDs will be an urgent litmus test for human rights in Mexico, as progress on cases like these will be key to wider efforts to protect HRDs and promote their important work…

The EU and its member states should also act to:

Give timely and effective protection to HRDs at risk in Mexico, promote their work and follow up on the human rights concerns they raise…Monitor the security situation of human rights defenders in Chihuahua, including follow up on the early warning system, visits to the field, meetings with HRDs and relevant authorities…Follow up on the case of Julián Carrillo, including through trial observation, provision of protection and regular visits to Julián’s family, ASMAC and the Rarámuri community, in close consultation with them…