Hñöhñö (Otomi) people of Santiago Mexquititlán
The Hñöhñö (Otomi) people of Santiago Mexquititlán, located in the Mexican state of Querétaro, is an indigenous community committed to the defence of land, water, territory, and collective rights. The Hñöhñö people have a long history of organising around issues of autonomy, ancestral governance, and environmental protection. They actively participate in local, regional, and national institutions such as the Autonomous Council of Santiago Mexquititlán, the Network in Defence of Water and Life (REDAVI), and the National Indigenous Congress (CNI). Its members have been active in denouncing rights violations committed in the context of extractive projects, the lack of rights protection by the state, and the criminalisation of indigenous organisations.
Human rights defenders (HRDs) and journalists in Mexico are subject to intimidation, legal harassment, arbitrary detention, death threats, acts of physical aggression, enforced disappearances and killings as a result of their activities in defence of human rights and the exercise of freedom of expression and journalism.
