Mexico: Smear campaign continues against land and human rights defenders of the Chontal indigenous community El Coyul

Front Line Defenders and the Red Nacional de Organismos Civiles de Derechos Humanos “Todos los Derechos para Todas, Todos y Todes” (Red TdT) express their concern over the recurrent defamation and criminalisation of indigenous land and human rights defenders of the Sociedad Agrícola Ganadera El Coyul. The organisations call on the authorities to comply with international law and protection standards when assessing the case of the human rights defenders, particularly as the proceedings are being reinstated, with the next hearing scheduled for 12 May.

On 8 May 2024, the Unitary Trial Court Two of the Judicial Circuit of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec sentenced twenty-one members of the Sociedad Agrícola Ganadera El Coyul, which represent two hundred and twenty-one families of the Chontal indigenous community El Coyul. The community members, including human rights defenders Saúl Robles Aragón and Román Sosa Miñon, were found guilty of aggravated dispossession of land against the private company Sociedad Agrícola y Ganadera El Coyul Oax S.C.. They were each sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment and a collective payment of fifty-five million Mexican pesos to the company as compensation as well as a fine of ninety thousand Mexican pesos. Whether the sentence is confirmed or revoked will be decided at their hearing scheduled for 12 May.

In December 2024, Front Line Defenders and the Red TDT reported on the threats issued against human rights defenders of the Chontal indigenous community El Coyul. Since then, the situation has deteriorated: defenders such as Saúl Robles Aragón and Román Sosa Miñon as well as other reporting organisations face harassment and smear campaigns on social media. Images and reports are edited and distorted to spread disinformation aimed at discrediting the indigenous heritage of the community and, thus, legitimising the privatisation of their land. Moreover, Facebook and Instagram users have published threatening messages on the social media pages of the Assembly of Indigenous Peoples of the Isthmus in Defence of Land and Territory (APIIDTT). One person even received anonymous threats via text after posting a comment in support of the indigenous community.

Front Line Defenders and the Red TDT express their concern over the defamation and criminalisation of Saúl Robles Aragón, Román Sosa Miñon, and other sentenced members of the Sociedad Agricola Ganadera El Coyul. The organisations reiterate their call to the Mexican authorities and the justice system to comply with international law and to protect the rights of indigenous land and human rights defenders.