According to the CIVICUS Monitor, civic space in Mexico is rated as “repressed”. Freedom of expression is at risk due to the spiral of violence against the press in Mexico. For several years, the country has been among the most deadly in the world for journalists. In the first five months of 2022, at least 11 journalists were killed, sometimes in brazen attacks in broad daylight. Outrage over the wave of murders has led to protests for justice and calls for more government action to ensure security for reporters under threat. 

Despite this crisis of violence, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and his supporters display an openly hostile attitude toward journalists and antagonise human rights defenders, protesters and groups that criticise the government. The President himself often makes vilifying statements that seek to disparage human rights defenders and their work. Since taking office, he has also questioned the legitimacy of journalists and human rights defenders, such as feminist activists protesting against gender-based violence.

The Mexican government has taken steps towards further restrictions on freedom of association, such as funding restrictions and removing tax incentives for donations to CSOs. Civil society has raised concerns about a bill to reform tax legislation that will restrict foreign funding for civil society groups working to influence laws and engaging in strategic litigation. If approved, the reform could prevent human rights defenders from carrying out important work challenging restrictive laws, debating public policy and seeking to improve rights protections. In addition, harassment and repeated attacks on environmental defenders were reported.

For more information about the country, visit: https://monitor.civicus.org/country/mexico/ 

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