Statement by Ms. Navanethem Pillay United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: Launch of the OHCHR-Mexico campaign on HRD

Mexico City, 6 July 2011

Dear
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a privilege to share with you this tribute to all those inspiring individuals who day by day work to breathe life into the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. All of them, all of you, are the heart of the work of my Office.

Last year we dedicated December 10th - Human Rights Day - to human rights advocates, some famous, many unknown, who speak out against discrimination, exclusion and inequality. In this context, I celebrate this initiative that aims for every person to discover their own potential to become a defender of human dignity. I am delighted to see the support given to our campaign from artists, journalists and activists alike, not to mention other people from all walks of life. In particular, I would like to express my gratitude to Javier Solórzano, Lydia Cacho, Cecilia Suarez and Saúl Hernández for their presence today, as well as all the companies and civil organizations that have pledged to take action to disseminate the campaign, some of which could not be present with us at this moment.

Today I would like to highlight what the 1998 Declaration on Human Rights Defenders tells us, which is that we all have the right, individually and in association with others, to promote and to strive for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels.

Human Rights Defenders are the motor that makes it possible to close the gap between the words written in international treaties and our everyday reality.

Human rights defenders speak out against abuse and violations including discrimination, exclusion, oppression and violence. They advocate for justice to be made and seek to protect the victims of human rights violations. They demand accountability for perpetrators and call for transparency of government action. In doing so, they are often putting at risk their own safety.

I am aware of the situation of Human Rights Defenders in Mexico. I met many of them in my office in Geneva, and I listened to their plight. I know that some of them have been harassed, threatened, wrongfully imprisoned and even murdered. As the Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights Defenders, Margaret Sekaggya, highlighted in her most recent annual report, the situation of women defenders and women’s rights activists is particularly worrying, because of the extraordinary risks that they face as they fight a double fight for human rights and gender equality. The majority of these risks directly affect their physical integrity as well as that of their family.

It is for this reason that the two first thematic reports published by my office in Mexico have focused on the situation of Human Rights Defenders. It is for you that we work, and we could not do what we do without you. The recommendations from these reports as well as other international bodies have resulted in my Office promoting and accompanying the creation of a National Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders. I am pleased to have witnessed the signature, between the government and representatives of civil society, of the national protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders. I trust that this Mechanism will strengthen the existing efforts of authorities to generate adequate working conditions for human rights defenders.

One of the problems defenders face, not only here in Mexico but also throughout the world, is the lack of knowledge, understanding and recognition of the importance of their work. Their work touches well beyond the victims they directly protect – it also ensures that many other people do not become victims of human rights abuses. I am convinced that a public campaign to raise awareness about the courage and legitimacy of their work will contribute to clarify their important role in a democratic society.

Today is an occasion to salute the achievements of human rights defenders everywhere – and to pledge to do more to safeguard their work.

I encourage you to take a stand and become a defender of human rights defenders. I invite all different members of society to join this campaign, including artists, opinion leaders, students, colleagues and everyone to become a part of this initiative. Today, in your company and to officially launch this campaign, it is an honor to say that: I DECLARE MY SELF. ¡YO ME DECLARO!