Showing its concern about “the populist rhetoric of President (Andrés Manuel) López Obrador in his daily press conferences” against journalists, the European Parliament asked the Mexican authorities on Thursday to guarantee the protection and creation of a safe environment for journalists. and human rights defenders.
Through a resolution, approved with 607 votes in favor, 2 against and 73 abstentions, MEPs highlighted that the situation against the press in Mexico has deteriorated since the last presidential elections in July 2018, when López Obrador was elected.
This by indicating that, according to official sources, at least 47 journalists have been killed since then. Added to this, the text warns, is an endemic problem of impunity, since around 95% of the murders of journalists remain unpunished.
“Parliament observes with concern the harsh and systematic criticism formulated by the highest authorities of the Mexican government against journalists and their work.
“It refers, specifically, to the populist rhetoric of President López Obrador in his daily press conferences to denigrate and intimidate independent journalists, media owners and activists,” the resolution stated.
“The most dangerous place”
Likewise, the European Chamber highlights that “Mexico has long been the most dangerous and deadly place for journalists outside of an official war zone”, since only since the beginning of 2022 have seven journalists been murdered.
Therefore, MEPs warn that “the rhetoric of abuse and stigmatization generates an environment of incessant agitation against independent journalists” and asks the authorities to refrain from any communication that could stigmatize journalists and media workers. communication, and also to human rights defenders.
Regarding the latter, they recalled that since December 2018 at least 68 human rights activists have been murdered in the country.
Meanwhile, the European Chamber pointed out the existence of “clear indications” that the Mexican State has used telephone hacking tools aimed at fighting terrorism and cartels, including the Pegasus spy program, against journalists and human rights defenders.
And it maintains that the constitutional reforms of the electoral and judicial systems, initiated by the López Obrador administration, raise doubts about the stability of the rule of law and legal certainty and shows concern about a legislative proposal that seeks to limit the civic participation of NGOs. with foreign financing
“Since the beginning of his mandate, President López Obrador has maintained an extremely hostile attitude against journalists stating that, ‘with few honorable exceptions’, the profession is going through ‘a moment of darkness and decadence’; which, among other names, has accused the local press of being ‘biased, beating, defending corrupt groups and constantly lying,’” states the resolution.
The document adds that in the Protection Mechanism for Mexican Human Rights Defenders and Journalists “there are serious deficiencies in the amount of funds and personnel of the mechanism, lack of adequate support, lack of coordination with state governments and delays in the implementation of measures of protection that often cost lives.”