IACHR Grants Precautionary Measures in Favor of Displaced Triqui Indigenous Families in Mexico

November 1, 2023

Washington, D.C. – The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) issued Resolution 62/2023 on October 27, 2023, to grant precautionary measures in favor of families of the Triqui indigenous people in the Tierra Blanca Copala community in Mexico who have been displaced to the neighboring Yosoyuxi Copala community, in the belief that they face a risk of suffering irreparable harm to their rights.

According to the party who requested these precautionary measures, on December 26, 2020, a group of approximately 100 people allegedly belonging to the organization Movement for a Unified Triqui Struggle (MULT) violently raided the Tierra Blanca Copala community, allegedly causing the forced displacement of 144 families to various areas around Mexico. Many further acts of violence have allegedly been perpetrated since then, especially against the families who were displaced to the Yosoyuxi Copala community.

The State noted the difficult dynamics in the Triqui region, where various organizations have allegedly been immersed in political and social disputes for decades. The State further noted that, since the events of December 2020, it had been constantly monitoring the Triqui conflict and provided financial, healthcare, and food support to the affected families. The Oaxaca state government created a peacemaking platform to foster peace, justice, and wellbeing within the Triqui nation, with the support of federal and municipal institutions and of social organizations. Further, the Oaxaca state government set up a state police facility in the Tierra Blanca community and organized social assistance for the benefit of the families who remained displaced in the Yosoyuxi Copala community.

The IACHR commended the State on the measures it had taken but noted that violence had persisted. In August 2023, the Commission was informed that a group of individuals armed with firearms had attacked displaced persons—including children and older persons—in the Yosoyuxi Copala community. The IACHR noted that it is currently impossible for displaced individuals to safely return to their homes, and also noted the impact that this impossibility may have on these individuals and their families. Further, the Commission noted that no progress had been made to punish the individuals responsible for these attacks.

Therefore, in keeping with Article 25 of its Rules of Procedure, the Commission asked Mexico to take the following action:

1. Adopt any culturally appropriate measures necessary to protect the rights to life and humane treatment of displaced Triqui families from the Tierra Blanca Copala community who are currently living in the neighboring Yosoyuxi Copala community (in particular, the State should take appropriate security measures and ensure the affected families may safely return to their home community)
2. Come to an agreement with the beneficiaries and/or their representatives concerning any measures that need to be taken
3. Report on any actions adopted to investigate the alleged events that gave rise to the adoption of these precautionary measures, in order to prevent such events from happening again in the future

The fact that these precautionary measures have been granted and their adoption by the State do not entail a prejudgment on a potential petition that may be filed before the inter-American system to allege violations of rights protected by the applicable instruments.

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. 258/23

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