IACHR Publishes Friendly Settlement Agreement in Case 13,007, Concerning the Forced Disappearance of Journalist José Jiménez in Mexico

October 21, 2022

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Washington, D.C. – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has decided to approve the friendly settlement agreement concerning Case 13,007—José Alfredo Jiménez Mota and Family, Mexico—and to publish approval report 171/22. This case concerns the State's international responsibility for the failure to investigate the forced disappearance of journalist José Alfredo Jiménez Mota in 2005, in the city of Hermosillo, in the state of Sonora, allegedly perpetrated by officers of the State, and to punish the people responsible for it.

On December 8, 2021, the parties signed a friendly settlement agreement where the State acknowledged its international responsibility for violations of the rights held in Articles 3 (right to juridical personality), 4 (right to life), 5 (right to humane treatment), 7 (right to personal liberty), 8 (right to a fair trial), 13 (right to freedom of thought and expression), and 25 (right to judicial protection) of the American Convention on Human Rights, in accordance with Article 1.1 of the Convention, as well as for violations of Articles I and III of the Inter-American Convention on the Forced Disappearance of Persons, to the detriment of the family of José Alfredo Jiménez Mota, for lack of diligence to investigate his forced disappearance.

The State committed to implementing the following redress, rehabilitation, non-recurrence, and compensation measures: 1) holding and publicizing a public event to acknowledge responsibility; 2) providing suitable medical and psychological care, free of charge, to Jiménez Mota's family; 3) enabling Leticia Jiménez Mota's return to the workplace; 4) paving a street in the municipality where Jiménez Mota's family lives and renaming it in the journalist's memory; 5) holding training sessions for public officials who might, in their positions, interact directly with cases involving the prevention, investigation, and punishment of crimes against journalists and/or against freedom of expression; 6) granting financial compensation; and 7) developing and implementing a plan to search for José Alfredo Jiménez Mota.

In friendly settlement report 171/22, the IACHR highlighted full compliance with measures concerning financial compensation and noted that other commitments remained pending. The Commission will therefore continue to monitor this agreement until full implementation has been verified.

The Commission acknowledges the efforts made by both parties to negotiate a friendly settlement agreement that is compatible with the Convention's goals and purposes. The IACHR commends the State on its efforts to develop a public policy concerning friendly settlements and alternative conflict-resolution. The IACHR invites the State to continue to use the friendly settlement mechanism to resolve other cases that are currently being addressed in the individual petition and case system. The Commission congratulates the petitioning party for all its efforts to take part in negotiations and to seek implementation of this agreement.

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for and to defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 238/22

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