On 12 September, Abril Ángel, photo-documentarian and member of the media outlet Sueña Dignidad, from the communicators’ collective RETA and Global Sumud Flotilla Mexico, was physically assaulted while she was conducting her documentation work during protests in Mexico City.

Tension arose during the demonstrations that coincided in the same public space. Afterwards, a group of unidentified individuals began physically assaulting the protesters, injuring Abril Ángel—who was documenting the events—and about ten other people.

According to witness accounts, officers from the Mexico City Public Security Secretariat (SSC CDMX) observed the attacks without intervening in a timely and effective manner to protect the journalist and the other people who were attacked, or to stop the acts of violence.

Abril Ángel has recently faced risks related to her work as a journalist and woman human rights defender. Last April, she was detained by Israeli forces while documenting the journey of Global Sumud Flotilla, a solidarity initiative for Palestine.

The National Network of Women Human Rights Defenders in Mexico express our deep concern over the physical assaults perpetrated against Abril Ángel and others, as well as the harm to their personal safety and infringement of their rights to protest, freedom of expression and freedom of information.

We are particularly concerned that, in the face of these attacks, the Mexico City Public Security Secretariat—as the authority present at the scene—failed to act effectively and in a timely manner to protect people’s safety and guarantee the safe exercise of their rights.

We express our solidarity with Abril Ángel, her collectives and the people who were assaulted, and we demand a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation of the events that incorporates a gender perspective and a human rights approach, to establish what happened and determine who is responsible, including any possible dereliction of duty by the authorities responsible for ensuring safety during the demonstration.

We demand guarantees of immediate and effective protection for Abril Ángel, as well as for all women who exercise their right to defend rights, protest, and speak out in conditions of safety and free from violence.