The European Union (EU), together with the governments of Norway and Switzerland, condemn the murder of Mexican journalist Alejandro Leyva Aguilar and expressed concern about the high levels of impunity that persist in crimes against journalists and human rights defenders in Mexico.
In a joint statement issued by the Delegation of the European Union in Mexico, in coordination with the embassies of the member states, in addition to Norway and Switzerland, the diplomatic representatives indicated that there are indications that the murder of the communicator would be directly related to his journalistic work.
Leyva Aguilar was shot to death on July 22 in the municipality of San Pablo Etla, Oaxaca. The journalist was known for his coverage of political issues and, according to the statement, had received threats before the attack.
The European governments expressed their condolences to the communicator's family, friends and colleagues and highlighted that the circumstances of the crime, as well as the history of threats, point to a possible link between his reporting work and the murder.
Likewise, they recognized the decision that the case was brought by the Attorney General's Office (FGR) and valued the commitment expressed by the federal government to clarify the facts. However, they urged Mexican authorities to continue investigations until all those responsible are identified and brought to justice.
They ask to strengthen the protection of journalists
In the statement, the EU, Norway and Switzerland warned that the murder of Alejandro Leyva, along with other recent attacks against journalists, reflects the climate of violence and intimidation faced by journalists and human rights defenders in various regions of Mexico. “We reiterate our concern about the high levels of impunity in the cases of journalists (…) and we renew our call for those responsible, both materially and intellectually, for all these crimes to be identified and prosecuted,” they noted.
The diplomatic representations also called to strengthen the existing protection mechanisms for journalists and activists, including the Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists, in addition to maintaining dialogue with civil society organizations to improve its functioning.
“We reaffirm our willingness to continue working with the Government of Mexico, through cooperation actions, in favor of the protection of human rights, the safety of human rights defenders and journalists,” the document concluded.
With the murder of Alejandro Leyva Aguilar, there are seven journalists murdered in Mexico so far this year, according to the information released about the case. The organization Reporters Without Borders has pointed out that Mexico continues to be the deadliest country on the American continent to practice journalism and has warned of an uptick in homicides of journalists that has not been recorded since 2011.
