U.S. Ambassador Wayne Meets with Civic Groups Working on Human Rights Issues

U.S. Ambassador Wayne Meets with Civic Groups Working on Human Rights Issues

Mexico City, November 1, 2011 – U.S. Ambassador Anthony Wayne met October 31 at the U.S. Embassy with activists from several NGOs working in Mexico on the advocacy and promotion of human rights.

After the meeting, Ambassador Wayne said, “Worldwide, the U.S. Government is extremely interested in the promotion and defense of human rights.  To this end, we actively engage civil society organizations across a range of human rights issues. It was very productive today to meet with some of these groups and hear what they are doing to safeguard the rights of indigenous groups, protect journalists and defend the human rights of all Mexicans generally.”

As violence across Mexico has increased over the past several years, journalists are being threatened and killed by a host of violence actors. To support government of Mexico efforts to protect journalists, the U.S. Government, through USAID, recently launched a $5 million program designed to help protect journalists and human rights defenders.  The Embassy is pleased to partner with the Government of Mexico, civil society and journalists on this extremely important program.

In addition, the Embassy is funding training for investigative journalists from Mexico and Central America on ways to help manage risks journalists face.  The training is being developed in collaboration with CENCOS (Centro Nacional de Comunicación Social) and other journalist organizations such as Periodistas de a Pie and Prensa y Democracia (PRENDE).

Reflecting on these programs, Ambassador Wayne said, “The United States is proud to work with Mexican journalists and the Mexican government to help make it safer for journalists and ensure that freedom of the press remains a core principle of Mexico’s democracy, even as Mexico faces a difficult security environment due to threats from organized crime.”