Precautionary Measures
Resolution No. 15/18
PM 882-17 - Tsotsil indigenous communities in Chalchihuitán and Chenalhó, Mexico
On February 24, 2018, the IACHR moved to request the adoption of precautionary measures in favor of Tsotsil indigenous persons from the Cruzton, Tzomolto’n, Bojolochojo’n, Cruz Cacanam, Tulantic, Bejelto’n, Pom, Chenmut and Kanalumtic communities in Chalchihuitán, and from the Majompepentic community in Chenalhó, in Mexico. The request for precautionary measures alleges that the proposed beneficiaries are at risk after being subjected to assault, harassment and threats by armed persons, and given the impact that displacement from their communities of origin has had on their rights. The Commission noted the actions taken by the State to address this humanitarian issue. However, the IACHR observed that the proposed beneficiaries are returning to the area from which they were displaced through threats and other acts of violence, which even involved the use of firearms. Consequently, in keeping with Article 25 of the IACHR’s Rules of Procedure, the Commission asked Mexico to adopt any security measures necessary to preserve beneficiaries’ lives and personal integrity, specifically to ensure their safety and to prevent threats, intimidation and other acts of violence against them by third parties; to come to an agreement with beneficiaries and their representatives regarding any measures that need to be taken; and to report on any actions adopted to investigate the events that gave rise to the adoption of this precautionary measure, in order to prevent such events from happening again in the future.