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The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, together with the undersigned human rights organisations, denounce the persistent threats, harassment, and systemic impunity faced by indigenous Zapotec human rights defender Silvia Pérez Yescas. In retaliation for her advocacy and defense of indigenous people’s rights, she has suffered repeated intimidation, break-ins at her home and office, and constant surveillance. We urge the authorities to carry out prompt, thorough, and impartial investigations into these acts and to put an end to all forms of harassment against her.
To the Mexican State;
To the Ministry of the Interior and the Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists;
To the Special Prosecutor’s Office for Attention to High-Impact Crimes in Oaxaca;
To national and international public opinion:
14 August 2025 - We, the undersigned organisations, express our deep concern regarding the lack of access to justice for the acts of harassment, threats, and violence against Silvia Pérez Yescas, founder and coordinator of Mujeres Indígenas por Casa CIARENA A.C. Ms. Pérez Yescas has dedicated her life to defending the rights of indigenous women and girls in Oaxaca. As a result of her work, she has been subjected to persistent threats and forced to relocate; she now lives under constant risk.
The threats began in 2011, after Silvia denounced a federal employee of the National Institute for Indigenous Peoples (formerly the National Commission for the Development of Indigenous Peoples) for abuse of power and sexual violence against indigenous women. Since then, intimidation and attacks have escalated:
In May 2024, the same official—still employed at the INPI—assaulted a federal technician sent to install solar panels at Casa CIARENA and sent additional threatening messages to Ms. Pérez Yescas, intensifying the pattern of harassment.
In February 2025, there was a break-in at her home: the lock was tampered with, and documents and computer equipment were stolen.
In June 2025, Casa CIARENA’s office was broken into again.
Despite Silvia’s complaint in 2024, the investigations have made no substantive progress. Although the Protection Mechanism granted her measures, they remain insufficient and culturally inappropriate: the emergency telephone requires internet access, which she does not have, and surveillance is provided by officers linked to the aggressor, further aggravating her vulnerability.
In light of this situation, we call on the Mexican State to:
– Ensure that the Oaxaca Prosecutor’s Office for Crimes of High Social Impact promptly, thoroughly, and impartially investigates the threats and attacks against Silvia Pérez Yescas and her organisation, including bringing those responsible to justice.
– Conduct an independent investigation and take appropriate action on allegations of cases of violence against women and abuse of power committed by government employees.
– Adopt a zero-tolerance policy to cases of violence against women and girls in line with the government’s obligations under the Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women and its General Recommendation 39.
– Implement non-repetition measures to end systematic violence against human rights defenders, particularly indigenous women.
– Provide Ms. Pérez Yescas with effective, adequate, and culturally relevant protection measures tailored to her circumstances.
We recall that legislative advances on Indigenous Peoples’ rights must translate into real protections for those who defend them. Protecting indigenous women defenders is essential to ensure that legal recognition becomes tangible in the daily lives of Indigenous Peoples.
As international human rights organisations, we will remain vigilant of this situation and of the Mexican State’s compliance with its international commitments to protect women defenders.
We reiterate our solidarity with Silvia Pérez Yescas and with all indigenous women defenders who courageously defend the rights of Indigenous Peoples, including Indigenous Women and girls.
Sincerely,
