AI; MEXICAN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS THREATENED A new threat has been received by two human rights defenders in Tehuacán, Puebla state, Mexico. This is the third harassment they have faced this year. There is grave fear for their security, and for the safety of their colleagues.

On 24 November 2011, Reyna Ramírez Sánchez and Rodrigo Santiago Hernández received a new threat at their home. A window of their home was smashed with a heavy stone which had been thrown into the window. The stone was wrapped in the following paper message: “You will be worth nothing if you continue messing about - R and R” (“Van a valer Madres-sigan chigando – R.Y.R.”). The ending of the message presumably refers to initials of the names Reyna Ramírez Sánchez and Rodrigo Santiago Hernández, who are members of the Workers Collective for Dignity (Colectivo Obreras Insumisas, AC).

This is the third threat that Reyna Ramírez Sánchez and Rodrigo Santiago Hernández have received this year and it is believed to be linked to their work representing staff in an industrial dispute. Both Reyna Ramírez Sánchez and Rodrigo Santiago Hernández have already made formal complaints at the Tehuacán State Public Prosecutor’s Office (Ministerio Público de Tehuácan), as well as requesting precautionary measures for their safety at the Puebla state Human Rights Commission (Comisión Estatal de Derechos Humanos del Estado de Puebla). However, to date they have not received answers to their requests.

Please write immediately in Spanish or your own language:

Call for the immediate implementation of protection measures for Rodrigo Santiago Hernández and Reyna Ramírez Sánchez, and the staff at Workers Collective for Dignity in accordance with their wishes;

Call for a full, prompt and impartial investigation into the threats against Rodrigo Santiago Hernández and for those responsible to be brought to justice;

Call on the authorities to implement an effective protection programme for all human rights defenders at risk in consultation with civil society as stipulated in the presidential decree signed on 6 July 2011.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 6 JANUARY 2012 TO:

Minister of the Interior

Dr. Alejandro Poiré Romero

Secretaría de Gobernación

Bucareli 99, 1er. piso, Col. Juárez

Delegación Cuauhtémoc

México D.F., C.P.06600, MÉXICO

Fax: +52 55 5093 3414 (Say "fax por favor")

Email: secretario@segob.gob.mx

Salutation: Dear Minister

Governor of Puebla State

Lic. Rafael Moreno Valle

Juan de Palafox y Mendoza 204

Centro C.P 72000

Puebla, MEXICO

Fax:+52 222 2322783 (Say "fax por favor")

Email: rafael.morenovalle@puebla.gob.mx

Salutation: Dear Governor

And copies to:

Obreros Insumisas del Valle de Tehuacan Puebla (Local NGO that supports the two defenders)

Email: rockdrigo.mailbox@gmail.com

And:

Mexico National Human Rights Commission

Email: correo@cndh.org.mx

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please insert local diplomatic addresses below:

– Name- -Address 1- -Address 2- -Address 3- Fax -Fax number- Email -Email address- Salutation -Salutation-

Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.

This is the first update of UA: 312/11. Further information:

http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AMR41/065/2011/en

Name: Rodrigo Santiago Hernández and Reyna Ramírez Sánchez

Gender m/f: Rodrigo is male and Reyna is female

Further information on UA: 312/11 Index: AMR 41/076/2011 Issue Date: 25 November 2011